Points to Ponder On I hereby take upon myself to fulfill the mitzvah, "Love your fellowman as yourself".

Tomorrow, 29 Sivan, marks 2 years that Gilead Shalit has been in terrorist captivity. At 6 PM Israel time (11 am EDT), people around the world will recite Psalm 121 simultaneously. Please join in and pass the word. May Hashem hear our prayers.

Torah study Say a prayer for the soldiers of the IDF, and for all residents of the Holy Land (suggestion: Psalm 20 is traditionally said in times of distress). Charity and acts of kindness: Put a coin in a charity box, give a gift of money to a fellow in need or to a charitable cause, or extend a helping hand to someone who needs it. Tefillin: If you already put on tefillin every day, encourage a friend to do so. If you don't yet, now is a good time to start!. Mezuzah: If you don't yet have a mezuzah get one now! If you already do have one, it may be time to have it checked to ensure that the words on the parchment have not faded. Tzitzit: start wearing tzitzit even during the night, and even while sleeping.

The head of the yeshiva, Rabbi Yaakov Shapira was the first to speak:

"We are all in need of mercy, the entire country," Shapira cried.

"Pray for all of us and give good counsel to the families, to the anguished friends."

Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar was weeping as well. "We have paid with our best boys, who were sitting by their talmuds … torah was their entire world, they are the roses that have been picked … and God will have mercy on us for their merit.

Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski also addressed the crowd:

"Lord, nations have invaded your land, desecrated your holy hall, eight of our sweet loved ones, may God avenge their blood, who only yesterday were living amongst us, are no longer with us. Their lives were severed by lowly murderers … but the murderer did not wish to target them alone, but rather each and every one of us, each and every resident of the holy city of Jerusalem.

For many years our enemies have been trying to ruin our lives, to harm us as much as they can. Jerusalem has paid heavily in blood, and the long long list was joined last night by our eight sons."

• Yohai Livshitz, 18, and Neria Cohen, 15 from Jerusalem
• Yonatan Yitzhak Eldar, 16, from Shilo
• Yonadav Haim Hirschfeld, 19, from Kohav Hashahar
• Segev Peniel Avihail, 15, from Neve Daniel
• Avraham David Moses, 16, from Efrat
• Ro’i Roth, 18, from Elkana
• Maharta Taruno, 26, from Ashdod