Mass Tefillah Gatherings Across Israel to Protest Draft Decree and Yeshiva Bochurim Arrests

In response to the recent arrests of yeshiva students and the escalating draft decree, large-scale tefillah rallies are set to take place this Thursday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, in cities throughout Israel.

The gatherings will be held simultaneously nationwide rather than as one central “million-person” assembly.

The initiative comes following a letter issued by Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, roshei yeshiva of Slabodka.

In their letter, the gedolim called on the chareidi public to “take to the streets and cry out in heartfelt tefillah and pleading” over the draft decree threatening the foundations of Torah study in Eretz Yisroel.

According to the plan, dozens of rallies will be held in cities and towns across the country, uniting communities in tefillah while avoiding a single centralized mass gathering.

The decision follows the historic asifa of gedolim held recently in Ma’ale HaChamisha, where it was resolved that Thursday, Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, would be designated as a nationwide day of tefillah.

The official announcement issued after the meeting stated: “From here we issue the heartfelt call: Am Hashem, pour out your hearts before Him, for the power of Klal Yisroel lies in its tefillah. Therefore, we beseech all who trust in Hashem to dedicate special time to increase their tefillos. On the auspicious day of Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, there will be a general day of tefillah to annul the harsh decree — through teshuvah, rectifying our deeds, and increasing our heartfelt pleas before the Ribbono Shel Olam. We also declare a full cancellation of work on that day, except for those compelled by employers to remain at their jobs. All who are able, from age fifteen and up, should fast for half the day. Those unable to fast should instead redeem it with tzedakah, until Hashem sees the suffering of His people and hastens His salvation with the nullification of this gezeirah.”

In addition, the Badatz of the Eidah Hachareidis issued its own call urging the public to dedicate Erev Rosh Chodesh Elul as a day of tefillah and fasting to “remove the harsh decree” and requesting that those able to do so fast for half the day.

{Matzav.com Israel}