While the world uses science and health advisories to combat the swine flu (officially referred to in Israel as the Mexican flu to avoid offending observers of Kashrut where pigs are forbidden), some rabbis in Israel are urging a different approach– prayer and a day of fast. The Israeli government already posted advisories and quarantined multiple people who either had the swine flu or exhibited symptoms indicative of the illness. The rabbi posted a notice on Monday calling for prayers today and urged people to fast for at least half of the day as a sign of piety. The rabbi did, however, urged Jews to heed the advice of physicians and to take medical precautions alongside the religious sentiments.
