Chief rabbis to lead prayer for rain at Western Wall

By JONAH MANDEL
Tourists at Kotel 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Tourists at Kotel 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Monday will be yet another day of fasting and prayer for rain, culminating in a massive prayer at the Western Wall at 3:30 pm, led by Israel's chief rabbis. The rabbis issued the text for the prayer, and encouraged all synagogues to make use of it. Those who can fast are requested to do so, even if it is only for half a day.
Thursday a week-and-a-half ago was similarly declared by Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shlomo Amar and Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger a special day of fasting and prayer, to atone for the sins that are likely preventing the direly missing rainfall.
“The summer is gone as is most of the winter, and we are yet to be redeemed by the downfall of rains of blessing, and the water situation in the Land of Israel is under duress and great distress, especially since this is not the first year of drought, and the land is dry due to our many sins, and this is a troubling matter,” they had written.