Gerer rabbanim issued an unusual halachic ruling permitting live music on the evening after Tishah B'Av for a celebratory reception honoring Yisroel Yehuda Fein, a student at Yeshivas Sefas Emes, following his release from Military Prison 10 approximately one hour before the fast ended. The exception was granted based on kavod haTorah.
The Gerer community had mobilized significantly around Fein's case. Earlier in the week, thousands of Gerer chassidim, led by the Gerrer Rebbe, gathered outside Military Prison 10 to demand his release. After that rally concluded, protesters proceeded to the home of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara to hold an additional demonstration.
When Fein returned to Yerushalayim, hundreds of Gerer bochurim and chassidim welcomed him with singing and dancing. A festive reception took place at Yeshivas Sfas Emes, where music ordinarily remains prohibited until midday following Tishah B'Av. However, leaders of the Gerer chassidus stated that the chassidus' rabbanim determined that live music was permissible for the celebration because of kavod haTorah.
The Narnenah Choir, whose members are Gerer chassidim, provided music alongside singer Sandy Dinkel. Participants sang and danced throughout the gathering celebrating Fein's release.
Following the reception, hundreds of bochurim marched from the yeshiva in the Machaneh Yehudah neighborhood toward Fein's home on Rechov Minchas Yitzchak, processing through Yerushalayim's streets with singing and dancing.