Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived this afternoon (Wednesday), accompanied by Degel Hatorah Chairman MK Moshe Gafni, to comfort mourners at the home of Maran HaGrei Edelstein, zt"l, on Raved Street in Bnei Brak - and stayed at the family home for more than half an hour.
Netanyahu lit a candle and apologized to the family for not attending the funeral: "I couldn't come, but there were crowds," he said.
According to a report by Michael Shemesh, MK Moshe Gafni told him that the police said "there were 200,000 participants.".
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Netanyahu responded humorously: "If they said 200, then it would have been 400...""
The Prime Minister spoke with the sons of the late Maran Rosh Ha-Yeshiva - who told Netanyahu: "Father's will is that you should take care of education.".
Rabbi Moti Plai, great-grandson of the Maran Rosh Ha-Yeshiva, presented the Prime Minister with Maran's 'reinforcement note' - which he distributed to all those who came to ask for advice and blessings.
There are 6 sections on the note: asking for mercy for others who need salvation in the same matter, studying morality for 5 minutes a day, reciting chapters of Tehillim every day, judging a person according to their merits, guarding the tongue, appeasing others, and not being harsh on others.
Netanyahu responded: "We will have to close the Knesset...""
Netanyahu also comforted the daughters of Maran zt"l - Rabbis Garbuz, Levi and Adler.
The Prime Minister met with Maran before the last elections.
The chairman of the state camp, Benny Gantz, arrived in Nehem accompanied by his friend MK Yaakov Asher.
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President Herzog also arrived tonight to comfort them.
Rabbi Motti Plai also presented the President of the State with Maran's "reinforcement note." President Herzog said that in his speeches he quotes the Rosh Yeshiva's call to "avoid gratuitous hatred and stop speaking slander.".
The President lit a candle in memory of Maran zt"l at the table where he gave lessons and received audiences for many years
Due to the arrival of the country's top brass to offer condolences today, Rav'd Street in Bnei Brak will be blocked until 9:00 PM. For this reason, there will also be no condolences for the general public today.
