UBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" Chief rabbis call for day of fasting, prayers for rain -- Tue, Dec 7, 2010       30 Kislev, 5771       --         Breaking News Diplomacy & Politics Defense National News Middle East International Iranian Threat Trade Sports Sci-Tech idea Columnists Editorials Op-Eds Letters Jewish World Jewish News Jewish Features Judaism Cafe Oleh Lifestyle Arts & Culture Food & Wine go Health Features Insights & Features Week in review Blogs In the news Judaism From the Middle East Lifestyle Aliyah Science and Technology Premium Zone The Jerusalem Report run 20 Questions e-paper Ivrit Magazine Metro In Jerusalem Christian Edition My JPost Subscription Center Newsletter RSS feeds News Ticker Facebook Twitter Classifieds Français More Services JPost Store JPost Games Israel Hotels Vacation Rentals Green Israel Car Rentals Learn Hebrew Israel Guide Links Perform Miracles JP daily e-paper לימוד אנגלית Astrology Sitemap      Breaking News     JPost.com Jewish World Jewish News   .large_body p, .large_body span { font-size: 18px; } .small_body p, .small_body span { font-size: 12px; } Photo by: Courtesy Chief rabbis call for day of fasting, prayers for rain By JONAH MANDEL  11/16/2010 04:45 Protocols set for upcoming day of fasting, for those who can, including the decree of prayers, and encourage people to fast as much as they can. Talkbacks (9)   Israel’s chief rabbis are calling on the public to pray for rain, and asserted this Thursday a unique day of fasting and prayer to atone for the sins that are likely preventing the direly missing rainfall.“The summer is gone as is most of the winter, and we are yet to be redeemed by the downfall of rains of blessing, and the say of the waters in the Land of Israel is under duress and noteworthy distress, especially since this is not the first year of drought, and the land is dry due to our many sins, and this is a troubling matter,” Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger and Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shlomo Amar noted in a letter sent out last Thursday.RELATED:Editorial: Prepare for the drought Forecasts predict this winter will be the driest in 6 years “It is our duty to seek and delve into our deeds, and approach close to God with all our hearts, and set forth our pleas with a broken and despondent heart,” the rabbis wrote. The rabbis set out the protocol for the upcoming day of fasting, for those who can hold it upon themselves, including the order of prayers, and encouraged people to fast as much as they could. Metzger and Amar also issued the text for a special prayer to be recited every time Torah scrolls are taken from the ark, while it’s open: “With one heart, as one person, and [the prayers] shall rise to the will of our Father in the Sky, who will gush out His blessings upon us, with grace, benevolence and mercy.”   Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive news updates directly to your email     Tweet         Talkback Add a Talkback Report Abuse Read all Talkbacks 9. Rainstorm Author:   Benjamin State:   United States11/18/2010   19:341 Chron 7:13-15: If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, if I decree the locust to devour the land, or if I send disease among My people: if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this space.” As you fast may Yeshua be revealed as Messiah that Israel would turn to Him for even as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up

8. Rain Author:   David Country:   Canada11/17/2010   23:34Yes, Ezra, the beauty of the "scheme" may be obvious to you, yet "unfalsifiability" doesn't legitimize skepticism, either, does it? For those who believe in the Bible, or the Torah, there is a consistent motif in Scripture that our relationship with G-d has corporate (even grand) implications. In Canada, for 2 winters now, I have prayed against the Pine Beetle coming to Alberta, in Jesus' name. I'm thankful that for 2 years, there has been ample winter- slay to hold this pest at bay. I'll take a God who loves over a cold,dull universe any day.

7. it not raining becaues of the haredim Author:   g. lee Country:   israel11/17/2010   15:30the lord is upset that instead of setting an example to the world, they live a life of shame

6. Our actions affect rainfall Author:   Bracha Goldman Country:   Israel11/17/2010   13:33We believe that the Jewish people is connected to G-d and to His Torah. We are none of us spokesmen for G-d, however He speaks to us, most notably here Deutoronomy 22:13-21 http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt0511.htm about the connection between rain and our actions. No wriggle-room here - our actions, especially between man and his fellow-man,decide whether there will be rain in Israel.

5. Stick tot he topic Author:   anon Country:   11/17/2010   11:50The rabbis are the spiritual representative of the jewish people. Of course there is a link between our behaviour and the physical world or were you born yesterday with all the scientific evidence available! Same sex birds are also acting up in San Fransico. People affect the environment.

4. Should we sacrifice a goat, too? Author:   Ezra Resnick Country:   Israel11/17/2010   09:05The beauty of this scheme is that it’s unfalsifiable. If it eventually rains, that shows the praying and fasting worked; and if not, that’s since our sins are too great, or since God is testing us, or because he works in mysterious ways and who are we to question God anyway. No evidence would ever cause the rabbis to consider the possibility that drought has nothing to do with sin and that prayer and fasting have absolutely no effect on the weather. Please see my full critique here: http://norighttobelieve.wordpress.com/2010/11/17/you-can- cease-global-warming/

3. #2 Danny Author:   Avrohom Country:   Israel11/16/2010   21:58You really have no need to question the words of the translator of this article. The words of the tafilla are in Lashon Hakodesh - Hebrew. If you want to know what the real tafilla is, read it in its orignal text.

2. Modernised version? Author:   Danny Country:   GB11/16/2010   10:23'Our Father in the Sky'? Why not stick with the customary translation of 'Avenu she'ba'Shomayim' as 'Our Father who art in Heaven'? fair because others have borrowed it doesn't mean we can't also use this translation. It would be fascinating to know which communal sins are most connected with drought, so that there can be communal repentance.

1. AND: Author:  right: Country:  begin:11/16/2010   05:25DOING THE RAIN DANCE: 4 MEN{'SS} {RIGHT NOW},

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