Rabbi Calls on Israel to Fast and Pray to Avoid Civil War

“Usually we pray and fast after a catastrophe. This time we do it before,” says top rabbi in urging Israelis to turn to God.

By Israel Today Staff | | Topics: Judaism
Rabbi David Stav of the influential Tzohar movement urged Israelis to fast and pray to avoid a civil war.
Rabbi David Stav of the influential Tzohar movement urged Israelis to fast and pray to avoid a civil war. Photo: Hadas Parush/Flash90

A leading Israeli rabbi called for a day of prayer and fasting on Wednesday to prevent a national catastrophe that many see resulting from the government’s judicial reform and the rift it is causing in Israeli society.

“Usually we fast after catastrophe has struck. This time we fast before,” said Rabbi David Stav in a video address to his followers.

“Israeli society, the State of Israel, is sliding toward a precipice,” Stav said in reference to the deep divisions exposed by the ongoing anti-government protests. “We ask for prayer, for a cry, a fast so our leaders find the way to continue this tremendous project, which is the State of Israel. We will pray for the prosperity of our country and people so that, God-willing, we will know how to emerge from the great crisis.”

Israelis all the way up to President Isaac Herzog have been openly warning of civil war amid the present turmoil.

Rabbi Stav is the founder of Tzohar, a moderate and influential Orthodox rabbinical group working to bridge the wide gap between secular and religious Israeli Jews.

In the previous government, then-Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahane tapped the rabbis of Tzohar to help reform Israel’s religious institutions.

Israel Today’s Jason Silverman wrote on Tzohar last year, and described the group as providing “an alternative path to Judaism, bringing many Jewish Israelis closer to Jewish tradition and thereby contributing to preserving Jewish identity in the Jewish State.”

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5 responses to “Rabbi Calls on Israel to Fast and Pray to Avoid Civil War”

  1. Mark Cooley says:

    Great and sure response to the Troubles of Israel, GOD is the only ONE who can rescue and save, Peace of Israel in our Prayers, Maranatha

    • Christopher Hummel says:

      Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
      The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself. If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
      The spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Jesus Christ is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
      So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

  2. hdfuerst says:

    google translation: Calling for fasting and prayer to seek God’s guidance for legal reform to be pleasing to God is good. But it is less good with this necessary reform
    to be sensitive to secular views. It is finally time for the courts of Israel to stop passing judgments that go against God’s instructions and laws.

    Zum Fasten und beten aufzurufen, um Gottes Führung zu erbitten, damit die Rechtsreform Gottes Wohlgefallen erlangt, ist gut. Weniger gut ist es aber, bei dieser notwendigen Reform
    Rücksicht auf säkulare Ansichten zu nehmen. Es ist endlich an der Zeit, dass die Gerichte in Israel keine Urteile mehr aussprechen, die gegen die Anweisungen und Gesetze Gottes verstoßen.

  3. Mark Watkins says:

    Amin, Praying in agreement with The Jewish People, for when two agree as touching anything that we ask , it shall be done for them of my Abba which is in Shamayim. Matityahu ~ Matthew 18:19 (paraphrased) (!)

  4. Stig Clausen says:

    I highly agree with mr. Hummel

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