The widows and orphans of the four rabbis slain in the Jerusalem synagogue massacre this Tuesday issued an emotional letter calling upon Jews everywhere to celebrate Shabbat in harmony.

“With broken hearts, drenched in tears shed over the spilt blood ...,” the letter began, “we call on our brethren wherever they are. Let us come together ... and let’s accept upon ourselves to increase love and camaraderie, between each individual and each community.

“We ask that every person accept upon himself on this Sabbath Eve (Parshat Toldot, Nov. 21-22) to set aside the day of Shabbat as a day of unconditional love—a day during which we will refrain from words of disagreement and division, from words of gossip and slander.”

The letter, which was signed by Mrs. Chaya Levine, Mrs. Bryna Goldberg, Mrs. Yaacova Kupinsky, and Mrs. Bashy Twersky representing their families, concluded with the wish that “we merit seeing the coming of our Moshiach (Messiah) speedily in our days. Amen.”

Concurrently, Chabad emissaries around the world have been calling on Jewish women everywhere to light Shabbat candles on Friday afternoon in perpetuation of the souls that have been snuffed out. “This Friday hundreds and thousands of Jewish women across the globe will light the Shabbat candles,” wrote one emissary. “A candle for the souls that have left their families too soon. A candle to flicker and show the world that Am Yisrael chai (the People of Israel live).”

Some resources (to be accessed before the onset of the holy day) for those wishing to celebrate Shabbat for the first time: