Jerusalem’s Chief Rabbis, HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Stern Shlita and HaGaon HaRav Moshe Shlomo Amar Shlita are calling on the tzibur to accept a day of fasting on erev Rosh Chodesh Adar I in light of recent events.

In the proclamation released by the rabbonim, it is stated that those who can, should fast an entire day, and if this cannot be accomplished, one should fast “until mincha”. Those who cannot fast at all should make an effort to observe a taanis dibur the entire day.

The rabbonim explain their decision is a response to the “Chilul Kodesh”, the attack on the Siach Yisrael Shul in the Kiryat Yovel neighborhood of the capital, during which the Sifrei Torah R”L were tossed to the floor and then doused with bleach.

A number of suspects, non-Jews, were reportedly arrested in the case and to date, it has been reported they were looking for monetary gain and it was not a hate crime as first believed, however, this is not yet been confirmed by police.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)