The English update issue 164 165 | Page 12

News SUNDAY’S PRAYER RALLY ONE PEOPLE, ONE HEART An unusual feeling of Kiddush Hashem was experienced The crowd which gathered from all parts of the country, this Sunday afternoon as hundreds of thousands of from Chatzor and Rechasim in the north to Ofakim, Netivot observant Jews from all parts of Eretz Hakodesh converged and Arad in the south, filled the streets of Yerushalayim in Jerusalem for a dignified prayer rally, turning to from Kiryat Moshe to Meah Shearim. Men, women and Hakadosh Baruch Hu with our stongest ammunition -- children streamed through the streets both before and after tefilla. the Atzeret which lasted approximately two hours. A major aspect of this Kiddush Hashem was that the Even the non-observant press representatives were rally had been called upon by leaders of all factions in the impressed with the decorum and respect demonstrated at charedi world, overlooking political differences, for the the Atzeret. common goal of making it clear that adhering to Rabbonim Tears filled many eyes as all present participated in and preserving our standards cannot be considered a the Kedusha during the repetition of the Shemona Esrai criminal offense in the Jewish state. with the Chassidish pronounciation and answered Amen The rally began in the late afternoon with the Rosh strongly as tefillot and slichot of the Eidot Hamizrach were Chodesh mincha, followed by slichos and other tefillas, recited. The same feeling permeated the atmosphere as the and concluded with Kabbalas Ol Malchus Shamayim and Litvish Roshei Yeshivot led the entire crowd in Tehillim the blowing of shofaros. Special prayers for rain, which is and the special bracha. desperately needed in Eretz Yisrael, were also included. A It was one afternoon, it was one common goal, and highlight of the Atzeres was the recitation of the bracha suddenly we all felt as ONE. Could this be how we felt Chacham HaRazim which is said upon seeing 600,000 at Har Sinai? Could this be bringing us a step closer to Jews in one place in Eretz Yisrael. Moshiach? 12 THE ENGLISH UPDATE