יואל, פרק א׳, פסוק י״ד

Facing an impending disaster, a desperate call goes out to the spiritual leadership to guide the nation toward practical repentance and public prayer. The leaders are instructed to decree a fixed public day of fasting. However, the essence of this fast goes far beyond simply refusing food and drink. Commentators offer two complementary views on this gathering. Some explain it as a massive public assembly [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Others emphasize that it involves a strict pause from all work, allowing the people to fully dedicate their time to prayer [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם]. The true purpose of this gathering is to bring the masses together to listen to words of awakening and correction from the elders. This tradition, common during times of severe distress, aims to move the public to tears and genuine repentance [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The directive to bring everyone together sparks a discussion about who exactly is responsible for leading this assembly. One approach suggests that the priests are being addressed, and it is their duty to gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land of Israel [מלבי״ם]. Another perspective argues that the command is directed at the elders themselves, placing the responsibility on their shoulders to assemble the people [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם].

Regardless of who organizes the event, the entire nation must gather inside the House of God [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד]. The ultimate goal of this massive assembly is to cry out to God with one united voice. The hope is that God will hear their collective prayer, accept their repentance, and cancel the devastating locust plague before it strikes, or remove the plague entirely if the destruction has already begun [רד״ק].