In response to the recent tragedy of 45 holy Yidden who tragically died in Meron on Lag B’Omer, the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah have joined in with Eretz Yisroel’s Torah leaders who have called for a worldwide day of prayer and crying this Tuesday, Yom Kippur Katan, Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan.

   “The day that transformed – from joy to grief, from festivity to mourning, from the great light of the celebration of the tanna Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai to darkness – Lag B’omer, is etched in our minds, and the memory of our deceased brothers will not depart from our hearts,” the gedolim wrote in a Kol Korei shared by Agudath Israel of America. “We are obligated to feel the pain of the grieving families; let all Jews weep over the destruction Hashem has seen fit to perform.

    “Additionally, ‘A person who observes misfortune happening to him should examine his deeds.’ (Berachos 5a) When that misfortune comes in the guise of suffering for our entire community, it is certain that we must examine our public’s deeds and actions. ‘Let us search our ways and inspect them, and return to Hashem.’ (Eichah 3:40)

      Other rabbis have asked Yidden to take on greater obligations and commitments to chesed, ahavas Yisroel, and tznua.

     “May the Healer of broken hearts heal our breaches; may He send consolation to the mourning families and healing to those who were injured," the letter says. "May He accept our prayers with mercy and may we not hear of further catastrophe in our communities."