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Pre-Purim Call for Unity
Mar 6, 2012 at 11:56:26 PM
The day before Purim, in response to the many dangers threatening the Jewish people in Israel and around the world, a call has gone out to unite for a few shared minutes in the reciting of Psalms.
King David wrote the Psalms as he faced life’s many challenges, both personal and national. The beautiful poetry and emotions bound up in these Psalms have inspired Jews and Gentiles alike for over 3,000 years.
An effort is being organized for March 7, 2012 – the fast of Esther, one of the most important days of the year for Jewish prayer. Esther called for a fast, knowing that through soul-searching the Jews would forge a spiritual connection necessary to make their mission successful. And it paid off.
The idea is that at on Wednesday, at exactly 11 a.m. (in every time zone), people should recite chapters 28, 32, 79, 92 and 22.
This should be followed by the ancient affirmation of Jewish unity:
Our brethren, the entire family of Israel, who are in distress and captivity, whether on sea or dry land – may the Omnipresent have mercy on them and remove them from distress to relief, from darkness to light, from subjugation to redemption – now, speedily and soon. And let us say: Amen.
The great rabbis in Israel have endorsed this effort, including Rav Yosef Shalom Eliashiv, Rav Aharon Leib Steinman, and Rav Shmuel Halevi Wosner.
The hour is late and the need is great. Join the effort and unite!
(1) Michael, March 7, 2012 9:43 AM
I joined in!
I'm not big on saying Psalms, but I did this and really felt connected to the power of many other Jews joining in. The text is actually short and only takes a few minutes.For those in other time zones who haven't yet hit 11 o'clock, I strongly recommend it.