For millennia, the Jewish people have turned to fasting and prayer in times of crisis, and this week marked another such moment as President Isaac Herzog called on Israel’s Chief Rabbis to declare a national fast day for the remaining hostages still held in Gaza.

Herzog’s appeal came during a ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday where 28 new rabbinical judges were being sworn in.

“I call on you to mobilize, and I urge you to act with all your strength, first and foremost by proclaiming a nationwide day of fasting and prayer for our sisters and brothers held by murderers,” Herzog told the assembled rabbis.

“May it be God’s will that through such steps, also paving the way for the necessary diplomatic moves, our brothers and sisters soon go from distress to relief, from darkness to light, and from bondage to redemption.”

Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef accepted the president’s request immediately.

“We accept his request, the request of the President of the State. In the coming days, we will announce a day of prayer and outcry on behalf of all our brothers and sisters in distress and captivity, and for our soldiers on the battlefield,” stated Rabbi Yosef. “May it be, with God’s help, that before we even carry this out, we will already hear and receive good news.”

Tuesday marked the 613th day since Hamas stormed into Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostage. The number 613 holds special significance in Jewish tradition, representing the total number of commandments in the Torah.

“I wish to close with a prayer and a cry for our abducted brothers and sisters,” Herzog said in conclusion. “These are turbulent, challenging, and sensitive days. I repeat my call to act tirelessly. Intense negotiations have taken place in the past 24 hours. We must use every tool, every measure, and act with creativity, responsibility, and commitment to bring them home – urgently. Every last one of them.”

Since that devastating attack, 148 hostages have been returned to Israel through ceasefire exchanges, heroic military rescues, and Hamas releases. But 53 remain in captivity, with Israeli intelligence believing at least 30 of them are dead.