President Herzog urges chief rabbis to declare day of prayer and fasting for Israeli hostages

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has called on the country’s chief rabbis to declare a day of prayer and fasting for the hostages, his official spokesperson announced today.

At the inauguration of 28 new rabbinical judges, Herzog made the appeal as part of his ceremonial address: “I call upon you to take action, and I propose that you do everything in your power – first and foremost, to declare a general day of fasting and prayer for our brothers and sisters held by murderers,” he said.

The chief rabbis of Israel have responded in agreement, with Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef saying, “We accept the president’s request and will announce this in the coming days.”

In his remarks, the President noted that a plethora of dilemmas have arisen during the war pertaining to following Jewish law, or “halacha” under unusual circumstances: how to pray and bless in enemy territory, maintaining morality in combat, how to deal righteously with the dead and identify bodies, and so on.

“This responsibility for the State of Israel – and this sacred halachic task now rests upon your shoulders, dear rabbis and judges. The title you receive today is not merely a certificate – and it must certainly not be seen as a political statement. It must stand, in the eyes of the public, as a supreme commitment to delivering justice and halachic rulings at the highest and purest standard.” 

“In this sense, you now hold the baton in a long relay: to take the Torah, given to Moses, passed to Joshua, the elders, and sages of each generation, and make it relevant to our lives today,” he added.

At every occasion of significance in Israel since Oct. 7, 2023, whether it’s a funeral, a circumcision, a graduation, or even a wedding, the hostages are remembered, never far from the minds of every Israeli.

“I wish to close with a prayer and a cry for our abducted brothers and sisters,” Herzog said in conclusion. “These are turbulent, challenging, and sensitive days. I repeat my call to act tirelessly. Intense negotiations have taken place in the past 24 hours. We must use every tool, every measure, and act with creativity, responsibility, and commitment to bring them home – urgently. Every last one of them.”

More than simply mentioning those in captivity, the President issued an appeal for action by the gathered religious leaders.

“To you, esteemed rabbis and judges – as important public leaders – you have a vital role in this effort: to stir the hearts of the people and the decision-makers, and to cry out to the Heavens on behalf of the hostages. I call upon you to mobilize and do all in your power – first and foremost, to declare a general day of fasting and prayer for our brothers and sisters held captive by murderers. May it be the will of God that such actions also help pave the way for the necessary diplomatic efforts, and that our brothers and sisters be brought swiftly from anguish to relief, from darkness to light, and from captivity to redemption.”

He ended his address by speaking of the importance of prayer: “Together with you, I pray for the healing of the wounded in body and soul; for the safety and success of the soldiers of the IDF; for comfort and solace for the bereaved families; and for the return of the displaced families and communities to their beloved homeland, in peace and security. May you succeed in your sacred mission, and may God’s blessing be upon you.”

Chief Rabbi David Yosef, the Sephardic chief rabbi of Israel, responded affirming the President’s words and request: “In the coming days, we will announce a day of prayer and outcry on behalf of all our brothers and sisters in distress and captivity, and for our soldiers on the battlefield. May it be, with God’s help, that before we even carry this out, we will already hear and receive good news.”