Students and staff at the Ponevezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak were shocked when a Torah scroll fell on the floor in front of hundreds of people during morning prayers on Shabbat.
Religious Jews have a custom of fasting after witnessing a Torah scroll fall on the ground, which is considered a bad sign. Giving charity is another common response.
The students immediately began to discuss whether this occurrence means they must undertake an additional fast in the coming week, which includes the fast of the Tenth of Tevet. They are awaiting instructions from the rabbis at the yeshiva on how to proceed.
Rosh Yeshiva Rabbi Meir Tzvi Bergman was also shocked when he learned what had happened and stated that the falling of the Torah scroll meant that they had to "do teshuva" (repentance).