Rishon L’Tzion HaRav Shlomo Moshe Amar Shlita and HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita are calling on the tzibur to observe a fast day on erev Rosh Chodesh Elul.

The Gedolim report that due to the many sins an illness like swine flu infects the world, adding the world medical community, leading experts, expect the illness to continue spreading.

Therefore, on Wednesday, 29 Av, erev Rosh Chodesh Elul, the tzibur is urged to devote extended time and concentration to tefillos and tehillim and to observe a fast, which should be accepted during mincha on Tuesday. One who finds fasting difficult should try to fast a half a day or at least a taanis dibur, to refrain from speech.

Everyone must also engage in introspection and focus on self-improvement, to return to the ways of Torah in the hope of eliciting Heavenly mercy.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)