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.
