In light of recent tragic incidents and terrible losses in our community, and in light of the deeply concerning matzav in Eretz Yisroel, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of America has put out the following statement calling for Klal Yisroel to observe today, Yom Kippur Katan, as a special Yom Tefila U’ze’aka.
[Free Translation]
“Nachpesa Deracheinu Venachkorah Venashuvah Ad Hashem”
“Let Us Search and Examine Our Ways and Return to Hashem”
Erev Rosh Chodesh Tammuz (Mukdam) 5784
Whose heart does not tremble upon hearing the terrible disasters that have befallen our communities here in the United States, events that make every heart shudder, compounded by a series of calamities, some of which are beyond the natural order.
Our hearts are further grieved by the loss of tzaddikim, gedolei Yisrael, zichronam tzaddikim ukedoshim livrachah, during this time.
Furthermore, we must be mindful of the plight of our brethren in the Holy Land, who are currently in a state of war with our enemies and adversaries.
Additionally, we face the dire situation in which authorities have enacted decrees against the holy yeshivos in the Holy Land and their talmidim.
Our eyes are turned heavenward, asking why Hashem has done this, yet we have no answer.
Therefore, we call upon all faithful Yidden in all communities here in the United States to designate Thursday of Parshas Korach as a day of tefillah and outcry. Let us increase our tefillah and supplications in all holy kehillos, especially on this day, which has been established by our predecessors zt”l as Yom Kippur Kotton, a day of tefillah, teshuvah, and rectifying our ways. The time has come to awaken from the slumber of the moment and return to Hashem, for He has torn [us] but He will heal us, He has struck but He will bind us up.
Let us lift our hearts to the King who hears tefillah, beseeching and imploring that He have pity on the poor and the needy, that He have mercy on Klal Yisroel. The King who is appeased by tears will hear our cry, and our tefillos will be accepted with mercy and favor, and He will save us from every evil decree and every trouble and distress.
Indeed, the mighty G-d will not despise the tefillah of the many, and He will soon show favor to the remnant of His people Yisroel with eternal salvation. V’sechezenah eineinu beshuvcha l’Tzion b’rachamim. May our eyes behold His return to Tzion with abundant mercy, for that is where our hearts yearn to shine forth.
Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Agudas Yisroel of America