יואל, פרק ב׳, פסוק ט״ז

In a time of profound distress, an urgent call goes out for an unprecedented national gathering of fasting and repentance. No one is exempt from sharing in the public sorrow. From the most respected leaders to the youngest infants, and even those at the very peak of personal joy, every individual is required to participate.

The nature of this gathering differs depending on the group involved. The general public simply needs to be assembled and brought into the House of God. The elders, however, are scattered throughout the city and must be actively sought out and brought together [מלבי״ם]. Interestingly, a shift in the usual dynamic occurs here. In previous times, the elders were responsible for awakening the public. Now, the harsh reality of the crisis is already deeply felt. The people assemble and prepare themselves for the fast on their own initiative. It is the public that now gathers the elders, bringing them in to pray on the nation's behalf [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, מלבי״ם].

This sweeping assembly includes absolutely everyone, extending even to toddlers and nursing infants [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The fast applies directly to these young children, who are kept from nursing so that they cry from hunger. The cries of the infants serve a dual purpose. First, the sound shatters the hearts of the adults, breaking their pride and driving them toward sincere repentance. At the same time, the innocent cries are meant to awaken the mercy of God, pleading for Him to take pity on the suffering of the little ones [רד״ק].

The demand to participate in the communal grief is so absolute that it overrides even the greatest personal celebrations. A groom is required to leave his private quarters, and a bride must step out of her bridal chamber. This chamber is generally understood as a private, covered room designated for the couple [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, רד״ק], though it can also refer to the heavy jewelry and ornaments that adorn and cover the bride [רד״ק]. Leaving their celebration behind, the newlyweds join the rest of the nation in weeping and mourning. This heartbreaking sight of a bride and groom abandoning their wedding to mourn is designed to intensify the nation's pleas and inspire everyone to achieve complete repentance [אבן עזרא, רד״ק, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].