Mekubal HaRav Dov Kook is calling for “fasting like on Tisha B’Av” on Thursday after realizing the chilul Shabbos that will take place on Friday following the marathon Tiveria. Rav Kook called on Mayor Ron Kobi to postpone the event, but instead, it appears the marathon will take place on schedule and there will be major chilul Shabbos since Shabbos begins so early.

Rav Kook calls on anyone “who has an affinity for Shabbos” to take part in the Taanis Tzibur on Thursday, as what is done when there is a clear danger, explains the rav, such as in the case of a ship at sea, disease, and no rainfall. In those cases, he explains, the tzibur is called to fast on Monday, Thursday and Monday, but here, he is calling for a fast on Thursday due to the expected mass chilul Shabbos in Tiveria this Friday evening.

The rav points out, “There is no greater sorrow and pain than chilul Shabbos, which is more painful than a lack of rainfall and other dangers, for this is a sorrow to the neshama, to the Creator of the world, sorrow of the Torah, of tzaddikim, of Moshe Rabbeinu, the tzaddikim in Tiveria, of Rav Chaim Abulafiya, the tears of the Rambam, the crying of Rav Meir Baal Haness, of Rav Chiya and his son, of Avraham Abuchatzeira, the sorrow of Moshe Kleer, the rav of Tiveria, and the major sorrow and pain to all the holies present in Tiveria”.

“In accordance with the din, we must all fast tomorrow and to take out the Torah and read ‘Vayichal Moshe’, the reading for a taanis, for truly, this is a great tzara for us all”, adds Rav Kook.

“Whomever can fast like on Tisha B’Av it is preferable, for chilul Shabbos is like the burning of the Beis Hamikdash – like churban Bayis, and therefore to fast from the night like on Tisha B’Av and one who hasn’t the strength, to fast in the morning”.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)