More than 1,000 women participated in a prayer and
his'orerus rally on behalf of the imprisoned Iranian
Jews last week. The rally was held in Bnei Brak's Wagschal
Hall, the use of which was donated by the owners.
The rally was opened by Rebbetzin B. Diskin, who spoke warmly
about the importance of women's prayer and the significance
of sharing the burden of one's fellow, especially in respect
of the painful issue of pidyon shevuyim. She cited the
words of Naomi: "The man from whom I [collected]," and
brought Chazal's dictum that, "More than the man of means
does for the pauper, the pauper does for the man of means."
The greatest chesed, she noted, is that which makes
the recipient feel as if he is giving. She closed with an
explanation of the exalted aspects of the trait of
tsnius.
Her address was followed by that of Mrs. S. Bilgeri, who
dwelled upon the importance of communal recitation of
Tehillim. She explained how the audience -- which had
already received a "divided-up Tehillim" -- should
proceed and how it should recite the yehi rotzon
prayer.
HaRav Yehuda Yosefi said that a resolution to change one's
deeds can cause the cancellation of an evil decree. He spoke
about the seriousness of offending one's fellow and how it
can cause lifelong harm. He then discussed the impropriety of
disreputable speech and the importance of accepting Shabbos
early. He closed with the reciting of Ovinu
Malkeinu.
The evening ended with the words of Rebbetzin Lipner, who
recited three chapters of Tehillim with the audience:
56, 77 and 142, which the gedolei Yisroel have
determined should be said for the Iranians. The prayer of
Acheinu Beis Yisroel was recited, bringing to a close
the emotion-filled rally.
The public is asked to continue to recite chapters 56, 77 and
142 of Tehillimand the prayer of Acheinu Beis
Yisroel. May the zechus of the prayers help the
imprisoned Iranian Jews so that they merit a yeshua
and be fully redeemed.
