Orthodox Prayers for Catastrophic Times

Question: What prayers or psalms are traditionally recited in times of catastrophe according to Orthodox practice? Answer: In times of communal distress or catastrophe, Orthodox Jewish tradition mandates reciting Psalms (Tehillim) composed by King David, who wrote them during his own tribulations. These prayers offer solace and a means to seek salvation. The Rambam (Maimonides) also dictates a Torah commandment to sound trumpets or shofars and cry out to God in such times, encouraging communal repentance by attributing distress to sinful behavior.