“At 5:00 in the afternoon, every man and woman shall sit in the synagogue or in their homes for 10 minutes on the ground, to mourn the tens of thousands of Jews, may G-d avenge their blood…”. Invitation and rare booklet issued for the general assembly of all the rabbis of the Land of Israel, including Rebbes and heads of yeshivot, for a day of weeping and mourning over the House of Israel, whose tens of thousands perished in the horrific Holocaust. The special fast and prayer day was held on the 20th of Adar at 11:00 a.m. at the Ruins of Rabbi Yehuda HaHasid in Jerusalem – a one-time event initiated by the Chief Rabbis Rabbi Yitzhak Isaac HaLevi Herzog, Rabbi Ben-Zion Hai Uziel, and Rabbi Isser Zalman Meltzer – in memory of the victims, as a call for rescue and assistance, and to awaken the public to repentance.
Alongside the invitation is a rare booklet from the same event, printed especially for its participants. No other copies of this booklet are known to exist.
“Assembly of the Rabbis of Eretz Israel” – a rare stencil-printed booklet issued for the occasion, titled “Declarations and Resolutions.” It contains a national call for mourning, fasting, and lamentation over
“one-third of the entire Jewish people who were annihilated through cruel and horrific deaths… Lamentation and mourning over the millions of our brothers led like sheep to the slaughter, over infants and children slaughtered before the eyes of their parents… over thousands of sacred communities — the pride of Israel — that were erased without a trace…” . A call to repentance is included: “…Let us purify ourselves and accept upon ourselves the observance of our holy Sabbath… Let us educate our sons and daughters in the fear of Heaven, Torah, and mitzvot…”. A cry for rescue and assistance: “
Brothers, act quickly — institutions, awaken to save while there is still time, do not remain silent!” A plea for the salvation of Jewish children who were hidden during the war among non-Jews:
“The Assembly of the Rabbis of the Land of Israel expresses its shock at the thousands of children left behind in monasteries and with non-Jews, who are now at risk of assimilation among the nations…” . A call to the leaders of the world:
“… Open the gates of the Land of Israel wide, without delay or restriction. Make every effort to save the remnants of Israel — survivors of the sword and destruction…”, And to the Yishuv:
“Extend a brotherly hand to the survivors who escaped the inferno and are ascending to our holy land!” At the end of the booklet appears the “Week of Mourning Schedule” — it was decreed that no celebrations or festive events would take place during that week, and no orchestras would be heard. In addition: “The public is asked to refrain during the week of mourning from visiting cinemas and other places of entertainment, ” as well as the “Fast Day Schedule”, which included the cancellation of work and communal mourning: “At 5:00 in the afternoon, every man and woman shall sit in the synagogue or in their homes for 10 minutes on the ground, to mourn the tens of thousands of Jews, may G-d avenge their blood…”
Invitation: [1] leaf.
Booklet: [1], 9 leaves. Good condition.
