I grew up in England and had a great childhood in the UK, I also live in America and am tremendously grateful of the blessings of this country and all that it provides to all of its inhabitants. Yet at the same time I feel intrinsically and deeply connected to the Land of Israel, and to the millions of our brethren who live there.
While growing up I hardly knew anyone in Israel, yet still felt the same way, especially after my first trip to Israel in 1995. Now many years later, I have friends and relatives in every part of Israel, whether it be in the big cities of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and others, or it be in small towns like Elad, Burkin, Kfar Chabad and so many others.
For me Israel is more than a country, it is the homeland of the Jewish people and the land that was promised by G-d to the children of Israel, thousands of years ago. It is the land of our ancestors where they lived, breathed and traveled, and the land where the Prophets shared their messages, and where the sages of the Mishna shared their teachings.
Its stones and paths are the same stones that our great grandparents stepped on as they walked around Jerusalem or up and down the hills of the Galilee or Judea. Even the rough edges of ancient olive trees bear witness to countless centuries of of the ups and downs of history that they have seen happen in before them.
The Events of this Week
This week as we watched Israel go through its Yom Hazikaron as it remembered it's fallen, it didn't feel like a far off event. Instead I felt a deep connection to the people who were remembering and grieving the heroes who gave up everything to protect the Jewish people from terrorists and sometimes countries who were bent on destroying the Jewish homeland and its people.
Their story is my story, their loss is my loss, and their bravery and courage, is what helps make Jewish life possible not just in Israel, but also in so many other places around the globe.
I am friends (virtually and in person) with countless people who shared photos and memories of their loved ones on Yom Hazikaron. One friend, Elyasaf Peretz, shared the picture of two of his young brothers who were killed in action, others shared pictures of their fathers, brothers, sisters and more. Two people from Sudbury shared photos of their fathers who were killed in action, and who never got to see them, their daughters, grow up.
Yes, I felt a deep connection and empathy for the story of these heroes, who through their sacrifice have reminded us what we have to live for and appreciate.
The Attack in Elad
Then came Thursday night, the end of a happy and joyous day, and two evil murderers came with their axes and began butchering people before their young children in the town of Elad. Three middle aged men were killed leaving sixteen young orphans, and several others were mauled and have been left fighting for their lives.
The victims crime? They were Jewish and living in the Jewish homeland.
No, we cannot be silent, even as other sad news and the terrible war in Ukraine, threatens to numb our senses, we cannot remain silent in the face of this terrible evil. It hurts and it is painful, very painful and so very unfathomable.
VeHachai Yiten El Libo, it states in the book of Kohelet, "the living shall take to heart". This is a verse that King Solomon says we should think about after a tragedy or a sad occurrence.
Let us remind ourselves, that indeed we have to live for and what we need to respond with. The Torah and its precepts are called an Etz Chaim, a Tree of Life, for its ways are pleasant and all of its paths are of peace. Indeed the Mitzvot and good deeds that we do, while indirect and often being done thousands of miles away, are a beautiful way for us to continue making life be true life.
History is a journey and a story in the making, we are the writers of the current part of the script, and can help shape and enable that the next part of the journey be one of increased positivity, kindness and good.
Indeed the opening words of this week's portion are Kedoshim Tiheyu, You shall be Holy, a tremendous responsibility. Practically speaking, we are mandated and reminded that our behavior should be one that creates a different kind of ambience in the world, one of altruism even if it isn't natural, one of goodness and kindness even what it isn't easy, and one of determination to make good things happen consistently and ever increasingly.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
Yisroel