Chief Rabbi calls on community to fast on Friday in face of ‘unbearable suffering’

He went on: “It also provides us with an opportunity to respond to the current traumatic war in the same way that Jews throughout history have responded to moments of adversity – by turning our hearts Heavenwards in prayer and fasting.”

The date is also designated as Yom Hakadish Haklali, a day of Kaddish for those who perished in the Holocaust and whose precise date of death was unknown.

Mirvis said that “as such, it provided a day for a spiritual response to the most unspeakable human atrocity.”

Mirvis said: “Today, we are in need of a spiritual response to unbearable human suffering. So, I urge all who are able, to observe the fast of Asarah Betevet, and may Hashem, Who hears our prayers in times of distress, bless all people with His peace.”