Wednesday, August 06, 2014

Agudas Yisroel springs into action!!!


Agudas Yisroel springs into action!!! This timely and important email message hit last Friday, just as the cease fire went into effect. Kol hakovod to those who made those "numerous inquiries" as otherwise we can assume that even this would not have been done. As the email explains:

  1. Why should we daven more? Because the Gedolim said so!
  2. Why should we attend the prayer event? Because the Gedolim said so!
  3. Why has Agudah started collecting money for "to provide support and assistance to our brethren in the Holy Land in their hour of dire need?" Because we got lots of annoying inquiries.
Also:
  1. Who is getting the money? The letter doesn't say. Will it go to widows and orphans or to kollelniks?
  2. Not for now, but perhaps someday one of you can help me understand why we're certain that our prayers to the One True God are superior to the prayers being offered by the Muslims. There are more of them, praying more frequently, and with greater fervor, too, if YouTube can be trusted.
  3. I confess to not remembering, but does the Talmud say that tehillim and sermons are the proper response to national calamities? My memory is fuzzy and I don't feel like looking it up, but I seem to recall that a different set of rituals is prescribed.
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To friends of Agudath Israel of America:

A guten Erev Shabbos.

We are all aware of the urgency of the "matzav" in Eretz Yisroel. These are obviously extraordinary times. I'd like to share with you some of the things on our plate as we at Agudath Israel seek to do what we can to fulfill our responsibilities at this historic moment.

First, the Gedolei Yisroel who stand at the helm of Agudath Israel are calling upon us to strengthen our tefillos on behalf of our beleaguered brethren in Eretz Yisroel and across the world, and to have in mind the soldiers who are on the front lines fighting the enemy that seeks to destroy us. ............

Second, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah has issued a Kol Korei (copy below) calling for a special Kinnus Tefila V'hisorirus for men and women this coming Wednesday, August 6 (the day after Tisha B'Av), to be held at The Palace, 780 McDonald Avenue, with the program starting with Mincha at 6:30 PM, followed by divrei hisorirus, Tehillim and special tefillos. The Kol Korei goes on to point out the importance of recognizing the seriousness of the current situation, and the special obligation we have not to let down our guard during these vacation weeks, and to conduct ourselves in a manner befitting the urgency of the moment.

Third, in response to numerous inquiries, we will be setting up a special Eretz Yisroel Emergency Fund, the proceeds of which will be used to provide support and assistance to our brethren in the Holy Land in their hour of dire need. Details will be forthcoming be'H next week.

May Hashem have mercy on His chosen people, and may the frightening cacophony of war be replaced by the joyous footsteps of Moshiach Tzidkeinu!

Chaim Dovid Zwiebel

--
David Zwiebel, Esq.
Executive Vice President
Agudath Israel of America



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