Israel is in its 5th day in lockdown due to a sharp increase in coronavirus infections. The lockdown began on Erev Rosh Hashanah, and is expected to last until the end of Succot. Non-essential businesses are closed, as are schools, and most offices. Children have returned to distance learning at home, which poses numerous challenges to families. The damage to the economy is expected to be severe. Finance Minister Israel Katz has submitted a plan to keep a large part of the private sector open during the lockdown in order to mitigate the economic damage. Katz is reported telling PM Netanyahu that, “enforcement should be increased in places where there are blatant violations and not close vital businesses that adhere to the rules.” Please continue to pray for Israel in these tough times. Please pray for health, for healing for the infected, and for people to rise up and help those who are less fortunate. Please pray for unity among Israelis during this time, that we will help one another and be a blessing to those around us.