Hundreds of thousands of Jews spent part or all of the day in shuls yesterday – and for many of them, the dramatic fast-ending shofar blast was the signal for the fulfillment of additional mitzvos:Maariv, Kiddush Levana, Havdalah, and a start to building sukkahs, with Sukkos set to begin four nights from now.
Here in Israel, Ben Gurion International Airport reopened right after the taanis, with the first international flight at about 9:30 p.m.
Over the taanis, Magen Dovid Adom said that it took 116 pregnant women to delivery rooms. Seven women gave birth at home, too fast to get to the hospital, and MDA staffers delivered the babies.
A baby in Bnei Brak fell out of a three-storey window and was rushed to Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer.
Several hundred were hurt on bikes, skateboards, skates and rollerblades and needed first aid. Bicycle-riding has become a popular “pastime” for secular Israelis on Yom Kippur, when the roads are essentially empty of cars. May it be that next year, iy”H, if the geulah does not come, those Jews will join with the rest of us in shul, beseeching Hakadosh Boruch Hu for forgiveness and a happy, healthy, fruitful and blessed new year.
{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}
