By COLlive reporter
“Go gather all of the Jews” – Esther 4:16.
On the fast day Taanis Esther on Thursday, Jewish people from around the world will be uniting in prayer for the immediate and safe release of the Israeli hostages still being held by Hamas terrorists in Gaza.
This global initiative by the families of the hostages is being called the “Greatest Kriat Shema Event in Jewish History,” with participants reciting together “Shema Yisroel” at the very same time from each location.
“We unite for a joint call – the recitation of Shema that will tear open the heavens and be heard from afar,” organizers said. The prayer will also include the soldiers of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
The Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Brigadier General Eyal Krim calls on soldiers to join as well. “This is a wonderful initiative. The unique combination of our historical faith in the eternal existence of Israel and the recitation of ‘Shema Yisroel’, and the initiative seeking to increase unity and solidarity in Israeli society in the manner of Queen Esther and Mordecai the Jew, who gather and demonstrate that the people are not ‘dispersed and scattered’, is a winning combination. Every soldier who can take part in the initiative – will be blessed by the Almighty.”
The main event will be held at the Kotel in Jerusalem and will be broadcast on COLlive.com, program beginning at 11 AM ET
The Shema will be recited together on Thursday at the following times:
Israel 5:30 PM
New York 11:30 AM
Los Angeles 8:30 AM
London 3:30 PM
Paris 4:30 PM
South America 5:30 PM
LIVE:
TRAILER:
timing in article is off. Supposed to be at 5:30pm Israel time
It’s not too late for the organizers to request that everyone give tzedaka in multiples of Chai.
In the 90’s there was a spate of deaths in Crown Heights. Rav Marlow requested that everyone give tzedaka in multiples of Chai. That helped tremendously.
PLEASE! The Rebbe taught that giving tzedaka before reciting Tehillim “compounds” the recital of Tehillim’s profound efficacy. Shouldn’t all of us give tzedaka in
Multiples of Chai and recite Tehillim before this world-wide recital of Shema? What an amazing opportunity!