Jerusalem—The Tzohar Rabbinical Organ­ization issued a direct call to Diaspora rabbis and communities to demonstrate their sup­port for Israel by choosing to visit the country at this time.

“Israel and our people are in an Et Tzara, a time of crisis,” said Tzohar Chairman Rabbi Da­vid Stav. “The role of Jews all over the world must be to pray for the welfare of our soldiers and our people, but also to show your soli­darity by choosing the next possible time to come and be with us.”

In a letter distributed to rabbis all over the world, Rabbi Stav said that particularly in this time of the Jewish year of the “Three Weeks” when the Jewish people commemorate his­torical tragedies, it is incumbent that Israel not be forsaken. “The IDF soldiers are not only pro­tecting the citizens of Israel, they are risking their lives in defense of the entire Jewish Peo­ple. It is important that we all show our mor­al and spiritual support now, not just through words but through action.” Rabbi Stav added that despite the traditional custom to avoid extensive travel during the days preceding Ti­sha B’av, supporting Israel in this time super­sedes any such considerations.

Tzohar, which works regularly with rab­bis from around the world to protect the Jew­ish future of Israel, announced that they have opened a special Operations Center to assist diaspora rabbis in all logistical and operation­al support to leading their communities to Is­rael.

Tzohar Executive Vice President Nachman Rosenberg said, “The continued Hamas rock­et attacks and the expansion of the IDF cam­paign will cause a further decrease in tourism. This is harmful to the morale and economy of Israeli society. This is the time for the global Jewish family to stand strong together, resil­ient in our faith, for as our tradition has taught, ‘If not now, when?’”

In addition to asking people from Chutz l’aretz to come to Israel to help, Tzohar also is­sued halachic guidelines for those under at­tack, particularly if an attack comes on Shab­bos. The need to know when an attack is coming has become a clear life and death is­sue. Rabbi Stav says that homes should take advantage of a special “silent broadcast” radio station which will only broadcast when rocket strike is deemed imminent.

Rabbi Stav also said that those who walk long distances to synagogue and therefore might not be able to find shelter are halachi­cally advised to pray in their homes rather than put themselves at risk.

Active reserve soldiers should not hesitate to answer calls from their commanding offic­ers on Shabbos, because it might be their call to serve. In addition, active duty soldiers or other emergency service personnel who are released from their responsibilities over Shab­bos are permitted to return home by foot if the distance is less than 12 kilometers, but transportation home by vehicle is not permit­ted.

Mission trips are being coordinated be­tween Tzohar and Arnon Katz of Jewish Jour­neys who have volunteered their full support for the cause. Rabbis and community leaders interested in coordinating a mission can con­tact Rabbi Reuven Spolter at reuven@tzohar. org.il.