The Chief Rabbi of Israel, David Lau, announced today (Tuesday) a special day of fasting in Israel and the Diaspora, which will take place this coming Thursday, following the increase in morbidity and mortality from the Corona plague.
The rabbi’s office said that this morning he was consulting with one of the leaders of the Lithuanian current, Garach Kanevsky, who gave his approval for the move. It was also announced that a central prayer service led by Rabbi Lau and without an audience would be held at Rachel’s Tomb on Thursday, Tevet at exactly 4:00 PM, and would be broadcast in the media. At this time, prayer classes will be held in various countries and in all Israeli communities throughout the country.
In his letter, which is coming out in preparation for World Day of Prayer, Rabbi Lau writes: “In recent days, the plague has intensified more and more and we feel that ‘outside you will understand a sword and terror.’ Every day we are faced with terrible disasters. “The virus does not notice and harms the elderly, young people, fathers and mothers of soft-spoken children, and unfortunately many of them die, and many thousands are in a state of trouble and need for prayer and a cry for help.”
The rabbi also calls on those who can afford to fast on this day until midnight.