[Avodah] Wartime Shabbos

[Micha Berger]

Culled from news briefs posted on Arutz-7 shortly before Shabbat began
there. Together, they helped draw a mental image of life down there.

 --

Radio Darom (Southern Radio) will go silent at 4pm, and only carry "Color
Red" sirends (missile allerts) over Shabbat. In Beer Shava, that's 97
MHz, those of us living in southern Israel probably know what frequency
to leave their radios on. (And shouldn't be reading this on Shabbat,
or at least should do me the favor of not telling me if they do.)

 -- 

Meanwhile, R' Yoram Cohen, the Chief Rabbi of Be'er Sheva reinforced the
need to observe the laws of piquach nefesh, danger to life, and their
supremacy over Shabbat observance. He told his community not to hesitate
for a moment before taking one's cell phone, driving as needed, keeping
the radio on, or whatever else is needed. Being "overly pious" is
prohibited.

 -- 

Col. Gil Shenhar gave these intstructions for minyan on Shabbat within
the range of rockets and other projectiles from Gaza:

    Within a radius of 10 kilometers from Gaza, prayers are to be held
    only inside bomb shelters.  This includes Sderot, Kfar Maimon, and
    the new homes of former Gush Katif residents in Yated and Yevul. 

    Within a radius of between 10 and 30 kilometers, prayers must be
    held in a building with a concrete roof, and with the participation
    of up to 100 people at a time.  This area includes Ashkelon, Kiryat
    Malachi, Kiryat Gat, Ofakim and Netivot. 

    Within a radius of between 30 and 40 kilometers, prayers must be
    held in a building with a concrete roof, and with the participation
    of up to 300 people at a time. This area includes Be'er Sheva,
    Ashdod, Gedera, and Yad Binyamin.

    The religious community is also advised to keep a radio tuned to the
    "Quiet Wave" near or in synagogues. Stations on the "Quiet Wave"
    broadcast silence, except for when an air raid siren occurs.

    Worshipers are advised not to congregate outside after the prayers,
    nor to bring children.

--

The Rishon LeTzion (former Sepharadi Chief Rabbi) R' Mordechai Eliyahu
crafted the following prayer (see
<http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129189> for the
Hebrew):

    May it be Your Will, L-rd our G-d and G-d of our forefathers, that
    You will have mercy on us and on all the residents of the south.

    Protect us in the bounty of your kindness and spread out over us
    the shelter of Your peace.

    Strengthen the arms of the fighting soldiers who protect us and give
    their souls for us.

    Protect them and guard them from all misfortune.

    Foil the plans of our haters and enemies; "Their swords shall plunge
    into their hearts and their bows shall break."

    Sovereign of the Universe, give our leaders wisdom and courage
    and strength of heart to annihilate all of our enemies, and let the
    prayer of King David, may he rest in peace, come true regarding them:
    "I shall chase after my enemies and I shall catch up to them and I
    will not return until they are destroyed." Amen.

--

So, hundreds of thousands of our brothers and sisters will be davening
this Shabbos in bomb shelters, too dangerous for the happy (if
problematic) noise of children interrupting services, saying a special
prayer pleading the A-lmighty for their safety.

How are /you/ spending Shabbos?

With prayers of peace and safety for all our people,
:-)BBii!
-Micha

-- 
Micha Berger             I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
micha at aishdas.org        I awoke and found that life was duty.
http://www.aishdas.org   I worked and, behold -- duty is joy.
Fax: (270) 514-1507                        - Rabindranath Tagore