Before dawn on Thursday, Rabbis Menashe Malka and Reuven Deri boarded a hot air balloon and ascended 1,000 feet in the air in order to pray for timely rain.
The two were joined by Eshkol Regional Council Head Haim Yalin and Sdot Negev Regional Head Council Meir Yifrach, as well as beauty queen Shavit Wiesel and other worshippers.
The group, which took off from an open field near Kibbutz Ruhama in the Negev, was equipped with a prayer for rain drafted by Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu zt”l.
With no precipitation in sight, farmers in northern Israel estimate crop damages would reach up to NIS 50 million (about $13 million.)
Hot air balloon operator Moran Itzkovitz said that “a joint prayer, while looking down at the amazing scenary of the dry Negev fields, may open the gates of heavens and strengthen farmers across the country.”
Also on Thursday, people gathered in the northern town of Hatzor HaGlilit, at the kever of Choni Hamagel.
The prayer was attended by chief Rabbis Rav Yona Metzger and Rav Shlomo Amar, council heads, rabbis and yeshiva students from the surrounding areas. The mispallelim blew the shofar and recited a special tefillah authored by Rabbi Metzger.
On Wednesday, dozens of Rabbis and guests gathered for a mass tefillah for rain on board the Ein Gev tourist vessel at the Sea of Galilee.
The prayer, which was organized by Emek HaYarden Regional Council rabbis and Ayelet HaShachar organization, was attended by Emek HaYarden Regional Council Head, Rabbi Shlomo Didi, Deputy Finance Minister Yitzhak Cohen and city of Rechovot Rav Simcha Hacohen Kook.
{Ynet/Matzav.com}
hashem only listens from hot air baloons??!
Are they trying to be like the Dor Haflaga?