In light of the trying situation in Eretz Hakodesh and the
Diaspora, maranan verabonon, the gedolei haTorah
vehaChassidus have issued a call to Jews everywhere to
assemble for prayer rallies to be held in Jewish communities
throughout the world, and to entreat the Master of all for
mercy. The rallies are scheduled for Thursday the 27th of
Adar, Yom Kippur Koton of chodesh Nisan, held early
because Rosh Chodesh is on Sunday.
In their call, maranan verabonon, headed by Maran
HaRav Yosef Sholom Eliashiv, write: "Eis tsoro hi
leYaakov, umimeno yivoshei'o. Yisroel, am kedoshim are
undergoing difficult times. Wicked ones, who conspire to
wreak havoc on us, are attacking and injuring members of our
Nation. May Hashem safeguard the Jewish Nation in Eretz
Hakodesh from the wicked machinations of our enemies. May He
protect us from the oppressive calamities which crush body
and soul. May He grant succor to those who suffer from
severe and bitter illnesses. May He save us from the
terrible plague in the form of traffic accidents. May He
ease the pain of the hearts which grieve over the spiritual
degeneration in our times, and over the decline in the
belief in our sacred Torah.
"Our only power is in exercising of the age-old tool of our
fathers, which is to cry out and to cause an uproar, as the
Rambam says at the beginning of Hilchos Taanis: `It
is a positive command of the Torah to cry out and to sound
the trumpets over every calamity which strikes the
community, as it is written, "Al hatsar hastsoreir eschem
veharei'osem bechatzotzeros -- the word tsar
alluding to everything which oppresses (metsar)
you."
"Therefore we entreat Jews everywhere -- men, women and
children -- to assemble at worldwide prayer rallies and to
plead with the A-mighty, Who is most compassionate and kind,
for deliverance. On Thursday, 27 Adar, erev rosh
chodesh Nisan, in the shmittah year, we will
gather with one heart, to issue pleas and fervent cries to
the Master of all, and to recite the prayers of Yom Kippur
Koton, selichos and Tehillim.
"Hashem will not reject the prayers of the many, and will
accept our prayers and hearken to our outcries with
compassion and grace. He will issue a spirit of purity from
Above, in order to return us to Ovinu shebaShomayim.
Fathers will return to their sons and sons to their fathers.
Hashem will heed us, and we will not be lost. We will merit
the coming of Moshiach tzidkeinu speedily, out of
great mercy and kindness."
This call is signed by maranan verabonon, the
gedolei haTorah vehaChassidus, who appeal to us to
hold prayer rallies in Jewish communities the world over.
These prayer rallies will take place in all synagogues and
Torah institutions throughout the Jewish world. Due to the
security situation, it was decided not to hold these rallies
in the city streets.
Special prayers and rallies are expected in Jewish
communities throughout the world, including the U.S.A.,
England, South Africa, Australia, Russia, France and
elsewhere. Prayers are expected in all yeshivas, and in the
other schools of both boys and girls of all ages.
For those who are in isolated locations, or women who cannot
participate in communal prayer with a minyan, the
organizers suggest that they say the Tehillim for
Thursday, followed by Tehillim 142 and the prayer of
Acheinu . . .
Young boys are recommended to say Tehillim 20, the 15
Shir Hama'alos, Tehillim 142, and Acheinu . .
.
Those with a shofar are asked to bring it along to
blow when saying the Yud-gimmel Middos.
