Rabbinical Edict Urges Support of Holy Land on Tisha B’ab Eve

A rabbinical edict signed by more than three hundred spiritual leaders was to be read in the synagogues and houses of worship in all Jewish communities throughout the world began the observance of the 1,864th anniversary of the destruction of The Temple by the Roman Legion and the loss of independence by the ancient State of Judaea. The religious fast of Tisha B’Ab started at the same time.

The edict calls attention to the significance of this day of mourning in the Jewish calendar and stresses the necessity for Jews of all shades of opinion to extend their support to the efforts for the rebuilding of the Jewish National Home in Palestine.

SEEKS FUND AID

The call, made public Friday by Dr. Israel Goldstein, president of the Jewish National Fund, urges the congregants to mark the observance of the fast by making contributions toward the Keren Kayemeth le Israel, the agency of the Zionist movement which has been engaged, for the past thirty years, in the acquisition and reclamation of the soil of Palestine as national property.

“Fellow Jews,” reads the edict in part, “In a grave hour in the history of our people and of the Holy Land we appeal to you, Jews of America, to do your sacred duty in fulfillment of the great religious commandment concerning the resettlement of the Holy Land.”

ONLY HAVEN FOR REFUGEES

It continues: “A great calamity has befallen our brethren in Germany. The Holy Land constitutes the only haven of refuge for many scores of thousands of our exiled brethren. Their opportunity to rebuild their lives depends in the largest measure upon the availability of national soil upon which they may settle. For this purpose larger sums are needed.”

In addition the reading of the edict appeals will be made in the synagogues when the Lamentations of Jeremiah will be recited by numerous rabbis who are cooperating with the nation-wide drive of the Jewish National Fund on the occasion of Tisha B’Ab.