Israel’s prolonged drought produced a new series of alarming reports to the Ministry of Agriculture from various parts of the country, appealing for immediate help and the import of fodder for livestock.
It was reported today that the water level in most wells has dropped to the danger point and that municipalities were considering imposition of restrictions on the use of water by their inhabitants.
Weather forecasting exports indicated there was no hope whatsoever for rain in the immediate future. A “minyan” of sages of Safed, bearing lulavs and shofars made their way early today to the tomb of Simon Bar Yochai, at Meron, and circled the tomb seven times, praying for rain.
The sages will go tomorrow to the tomb of Honi Ha-Magel, who, according to legends, warned the Lord that he would not step out of a circle he had made with his stick until the rains came. There the Kabbalists will again pray for rain.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
