Jewish congregations around the world plan to participate in the special day of fasting, prayer, and unity called by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel for today. Endorsements of the idea have been issued from across the religious spectrum. The central service will be held at the Western Wall this afternoon.
A Prayer from the Chief Rabbi of Israel:
Master of the Universe, Lord of Peace, King that Peace is His, gaze down from Heaven and see the victims of burning hatred in Your world, hear the cry of those hurt by terror wherever they may be, visit Your mercy upon those who have lost their loved ones who have risen to the Heavens in a fiery storm of loathing, abhorrence, and hatred which threatens the peace of the world and its inhabitants.
Our Father our King, say to the Angel of Destruction: cease! and to the troubles of mankind: no more! Stop the waves of hatred, prevent the shedding of blood, save us from all cruel and terrible decrees, and heal the sickness of humanity from which came forth the evil persons who want to stem the thread of life of men, women and children, innocent of any iniquity.
King of Kings, spread over us your peaceful shelter and conceal us in the shadow of your wing. Give that in our hearts we may always see the virtues of our fellow men and not their shortcomings. That we should gaze at light and not turn to shadow, find the unifying and not seek the dividing. It is after all, one Creator who hath created us, and one father to us all.
We are all the sons of one man, therefore we cry out from the City of Peace, Jerusalem the Holy City, to all humanity: pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly! As brothers in pain and suffering, we must increase the love and brotherhood between us, peace and harmony, so that we may be brothers in happiness, freedom, mutual respect and true peace, stable and lasting.
We the Ancient People, experienced in anguish and toil, seekers of peace and lovers of life, pray to You- Our Father Who Art in Heaven- that may the prophecy of Isaiah come to be, speedily in our time: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Amen, and so may it be.