A former Israeli Chief Rabbi, Rishon LeTzion Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, is calling upon people around the globe to devote a day of prayers, as well as an hour at the Western Wall if they can, on behalf of Jonathan Pollard this coming Wednesday. A prayer rally will be held at the Kotel (Western Wall) on behalf of the Israeli citizen who is now in his 18th year of an American prison sentence.
Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel, writes, "By calling the nation together to pray for the redemption of Jonathan Pollard on the eve of [the holiday of] Shavuot, Rabbi Eliyahu purposely chose the date that would allow all of the Jewish People the opportunity to start the Holiday of the Giving of the Torah by participating in... the Torah commandment of Pidyon Shvuyim [redeeming a captive]" - which requires even the selling of a Torah scroll if necessary.
A rally on Pollard's behalf ten days ago in Jerusalem drew 2,000 people, and more are expected today. "If you do not live in Israel," suggests Rabbi Lerner, "call a relative or friend and ask them to go [to the Western Wall today in your place]. Then call some more friends in Israel and tell them to pass the word. If you are a member of a Jewish organization in America, urge that organization to contact their Israel counterparts and to have them spread the word."
Rabbi Pesach Lerner, Executive Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel, writes, "By calling the nation together to pray for the redemption of Jonathan Pollard on the eve of [the holiday of] Shavuot, Rabbi Eliyahu purposely chose the date that would allow all of the Jewish People the opportunity to start the Holiday of the Giving of the Torah by participating in... the Torah commandment of Pidyon Shvuyim [redeeming a captive]" - which requires even the selling of a Torah scroll if necessary.
A rally on Pollard's behalf ten days ago in Jerusalem drew 2,000 people, and more are expected today. "If you do not live in Israel," suggests Rabbi Lerner, "call a relative or friend and ask them to go [to the Western Wall today in your place]. Then call some more friends in Israel and tell them to pass the word. If you are a member of a Jewish organization in America, urge that organization to contact their Israel counterparts and to have them spread the word."