HaMekubal HaGaon HaRav Yaakov Ades led a special tefillah at the Kosel for the annulment of the military draft decree following a large Selichos gathering attended by thousands of mispallelim.

Footage circulated from the Kosel shows Rav Ades standing near the Kosel with a smaller group of mispallelim after the larger gathering had concluded. According to the report accompanying the footage, the group remained for a special tefillah over the continuing draft crisis facing bnei yeshivos.

The tefillah followed the Motzaei Shabbos Selichos at the Kosel on August 22, part of the nightly Selichos gatherings taking place during Elul.

Rav Ades has repeatedly spoken out against efforts to draft yeshiva bochurim and has previously combined his opposition to the draft with public calls for increased tefillah. During earlier gatherings concerning the draft issue, the noted mekubal has stressed that alongside communal efforts against the decree, Klal Yisrael must turn to tefillah and seek rachamim for the protection of the Olam HaTorah.

The latest scene at the Kosel comes amid renewed tensions over the status of bnei yeshivos, with arrests of yeshiva bochurim over their military status triggering protests and heightened concern throughout the Haredi community in recent days.