ShalomNewYork.com

Israel’s Radio Kol Chai reported today, that in response to a request by France’s Chief Rabbi Yosef Sitruk, Shimon Peres has agreed to keep Shabbos this week (for the first time in his life) as part of an outreach campaign by European rabbis.The initiative was started by Rabbi Yosef Sitruk to try and unite Jews all over the world to preserve that sabbath day

Even more incredibly, Peres announced he will officially call upon all Jews worldwide to observe Shabbos preceding Israel’s Independence Day, and to pray for peace.

The Kol Chai reporter stated that such a declaration would qualify as a precursor to the immediate coming of Moshiach - as some hold that if all Jews were to keep Shabbos, Moshiach would come.Interestingly, Haaretz reported this story - but added the following after their report:Former Meretz chairman Yossi Sarid was quoted on Maariv’s online news site, saying that “I don’t undertake to preserve the same Sabbath. It depends on my plans. In my opinion this whole initiative is a pretentious display. Besides, my sources give me different information about the messiah.”TheYeshivaWorld.com