Friday Links: Ducks, Shopping, Fake Army Exemptions, and Cosmetic Surgery among Haredim

My teenage daughter helped my son prepare this bird model for his school project on feathers.
Some links for your perusal:

1. The chief rabbis have called a second day of fasting and prayer for rain:
   In light of the continuing drought in Israel, Chief Rabbis Shlomo Amar and Yonah Metzger have declared next Monday as a second day of prayer and repentance, in which Israelis will be asked to fast and hold special prayers for rain. The Chief Rabbis called on everyone who is able to fast on Monday. Individuals who plan to fast should accept the fast upon themselves when praying Mincha on Sunday. The fast will begin at dawn Monday, and end at sunset. The Chief Rabbis will participate in special prayers at the Kotel on Monday afternoon at 3:30 PM, and they called on those unable to get to the Kotel to hold prayers of repentance in their local synagogues. A similar day of fasting and prayer was held last Thursday.
2. Rabbi Moshe Lichtenstein argues against fasting.
3. Check out my guest post at Kosher on a Budget, Ten Tips for Frugal Grocery Shopping in Israel.
4. More haredim are undergoing cosmetic surgery, including breast enhancements. I’ve already written about the impact of breast surgery on breastfeeding.
5. IDF uses Facebook to catch women falsely claiming a religious exemption from the army.
6. Judge Kiimba Wood granted a break from a trial for the potential bris of a lawyer’s grandchild, but only if a granddaughter will be celebrated as well.

Shabbat shalom!