This past Monday (8 Cheshvan), a prayer and teshuva
rally was held in Mea Shearim's main square and the nearby
streets.
The rally was called in light of the many accidents and
tragedies, Rachmono litzlan, which have recently
occurred in the chareidi community. In only one month, nine
large families were orphaned and bereft due to the
petiros of their heads, among them the outstanding
talmidei chachomim and marbitzei Torah. All of
these niftorim were in the prime of their lives. Some
were niftar as a result of sudden illness, others after
bitter and prolonged suffering, and yet others in sudden,
shocking accidents.
The sorrow and anguish of the young widows the orphans reach
Shomayim. As result, the rabbonim of Yerushalayim
assembled the chareidi community on the first day of
selichos BaHaB for a heart-rending recitation of
Ovinu Malkeinu, kera ro'ah gezar dineinu.
They also called upon the community to take stock of its
ways, especially in the realm of kedusha and
taharo, saying that they have recently heard serious
complaints about tremendous spiritual degeneration in these
areas.
All those with shofars brought them to the rally as
requested. Women gathered on Baharan and Slonim Street, and
heard the tefillos and speeches which were transmitted
to them by means of a loudspeaker.
The rally began at 1:30. Tehillim were said; the
shofar was blown, and Ovinu Malkeinu recited. At
2:15, prominent rabbonim delivered words of mussar, and
selichos were said. The rally closed at 3:15, so that
the men could return to their yeshivos in time for the
afternoon seder.
During the rally, the students of the talmudei Torah of
the city recited Tehillim in their schools with their
rebei'im.
