Chief Rabbis: Beshalah Designated for Praise for Recent Miracles

Hat tip to Jameel who got this from a PDF on Rotter.net. It's also on Arutz Sheva's Hebrew site. The Chief Rabbis of Israel have issued a letter to designate Beshalah as a Shabbat of praise to Hashem for the miracles of the recent Gaza War. Here is my translation of the letter:

O come, let us sing unto the LORD; let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation

For the miracles and for the salvations which happened to our soldiers and to our citizens in Operation "Cast Lead", which came after patience and tolerance for years, that which was not done in any place in the world - where they throw rockets and Kassams on populated cities, until the lives of myriads of thousands of Jews could not take it any longer, and they outstretched a hand for peace and tranquility to them, but they did not want to listen, and Hashem saw the oppression of His sons and His daughters, and He stood from the throne of unmitigated justice and sat upon the throne of mercy, and numerous miracles He performed for us with the revelation of the Shechina, which protected our soldiers - As an eagle that stirreth up her nest, hovereth over her young, Hashem stood up and placed His redemption upon the head of His nation and His inheritance to save them to relieve them with grace, with kindness, and with mercy. Also, a pure heart G-d has created for us to tie us with a trusted knot - to make us into one unit with one heart and with great love, and the matter became as a wonder and a sign.

And for all these things, we are obligated to thank, to exalt, to praise and to glorify our creator, He Who formed us, the King of the world, with humility and with total subjugation. Let them give thanks unto the LORD for His mercy, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! And declare His works with singing and to serve Him with happiness, with joy and singing from unity and brotherliness. And therefore, many and good [Rabbis] have suggested to establish "Shabbat Beshalah", which is the eternal Shabbat of song for all generations, that the entire nation of Hashem which is in all places [in the world] should tell over the actions of Hashem with joy and relate all of His wonders. And all who do more to tell over the kindnesses of Hashem, he should be praised. And at the time of the opening of the ark, one should say chapters of Psalms - A Psalm, a Song. For the sabbath day, A Psalm of thanksgiving, and 'O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good. And the esteemed rabbis should lecture about the topic of the day to increase the honor of Hashem in His world - so that future generations should know that Hashem is G-d, and He conducts His world with personal and designated Divine providence. And especially in the land of Israel, where the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, and there Hashem has commanded the blessing.

And there is no doubt that the happiness and thanksgiving to Hashem together with the strengthening in learning Torah and service of Hashem will bring our redemption and the emancipation of our soul closer, speedily in our days, Amen.

Those who are expectant of Hashem's salvation,

[Rabbi] Shelomo Moshe Amar
Rishon Letzion
Chief Rabbi of Israel

[Rabbi] Yonah Metzger
Chief Rabbi of Israel