Chief Rabbis of Israel Call to Pray for Rain, the Soldiers' Safety, and the Return of the Captives

The Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi Kalman Bar and Rabbi David Yosef, are issuing a joint call this morning (Monday) to the public to increase prayers for rain.

"We are in the midst of the month of Kislev, and we have not yet been blessed with rain," the rabbis open their letter. "The people in the fields and the agricultural crops are desperate for water, and unfortunately, there is none. We call on the public everywhere to pray and plead before the one who blesses the years that He may have mercy on His people and His land, and answer us and bring down dew and rain for blessing."

The rabbis further instruct on how to increase prayer: "The people of the Sephardic traditions should say during Shabbat, at the opening of the ark, the prayer 'El Chai Yiftach Otzrot Shamayim,' and it is appropriate to add this prayer also on Mondays and Thursdays, which are days of mercy. The people of the Ashkenazi traditions shall add in the Amidah prayer in the blessing of Shomea Tefilah, 'Answer us, Creator of the World.'"

The rabbis also call in their letter to continue praying for the safety of IDF soldiers, the healing of the injured, and the return of captives and missing persons: "Likewise, continue to say two Psalms, chapters 121 and 130, and the prayer 'Acheinu Kol Beit Yisrael' for the safety of IDF soldiers, the healing of the injured, and the return of the captives and missing persons. In prayer for abundant heavenly mercy and good news and salvations soon, Amen."