Almost twenty years ago on the night of Nov 4th 1995 the Israeli PM Yitzchak Rabin was assassinated. On that night I cried and grieved as my world and my unshakable belief in my people was shattered and shaken to the core. I was shocked and saddened in a tremendous way by his senseless murder, and shattered at the thought that a Jew could pick up a gun and kill the Prime Minister of Israel.
Twenty years later in the span of less than twenty four hours two shocking incidents have occurred in Israel with the attack on the parade in Jerusalem yesterday and the burning down of an Arab house this morning.
The attack in Jerusalem was carried out by a crazy and disturbed individual who should never have been allowed to the roam the streets and given the ability to attack the parade. This is especially true, given an earlier attack which he carried out and given the fact that he was circulating letters stating that he had no regret and wanted to attack again.
Regardless of the diversity of perspectives in Jerusalem regarding the parade and its location, I don't think anyone, especially anyone who claims to speak on behalf of Judaism, supported or condoned any form of violent protest or attacks, especially such a despicable and heinous crime. In fact in the minutes and hours after the attack, opponents and supporters of the parade as well as religious leaders and many others all came out very harshly against this evil attack by a maniac.
Israel was still recovering from yesterday’s incident, when a second incident occurred this morning in which two Arab homes, one empty and one populated, were set alight and a young baby was killed and three other family members remain in critical condition in Israeli Hospitals. No culprits have yet been apprehended but based on the Hebrew graffiti and slogans found at the scene it is being blamed on Jewish extremists or psychopaths.
Despite the frustrations of so many of our brethren who have to live with incessant daily rock and firebomb attacks on their homes, cars and communities, nothing can justify this act of terror, and thankfully the reaction across the spectrum of the settlers and the entire Israel has been one of condemnation, rejection and abhorrence from this brutal attack.
Is this a case of Religious Extremism?
One of my biggest shocks yesterday was when I saw the picture of the Kippa on the attacker’s head as he tried to stab the people around him.
Yet as I read the responses and the widespread condemnation as well as a little more about the attacker’s background, it became obvious that he does not represent Judaism in any shape, form or fashion, even if he claims to speak in the name of Judaism. This is true both in terms of ideology and in terms of actions, and it was comforting to see that not a single segment of the Israeli population gave any moral support or backing to such behavior.
The same is true about this morning’s attack in which the culprits have not yet been caught and held accountable, but once again the condemnations of the attack and the outreach to the victim's family from every segment of Israel society, including politicians of all streams and Rabbis and other spiritual leaders, is a reminder that Torah true Judaism does not believe, condone or support such atrocities.
Judaism is a spiritual and G-dly way of life that should lead to harmony and peace among our own people, and in the way we are able to relate and interact with others nations and societies. Evil and crazy attacks on innocent people such as what we have seen in the last day are the antithesis of anything that Judaism represents. So while the attacker from yesterday may outwardly portray himself and dress as a religious person, such actions are an embarrassment to what Judaism represents.
The Happiest Day in the Jewish Calendar
Ironically in the Jewish tradition, today the 15th of Av, marks the happiest date on the Jewish Calendar. There are several reasons for this, including it being the day that the Jews were finally given permission to bury the tens of thousands of murdered Jews who had been killed by the Romans in the city of Beitar, and the day that Jews abolished a decree (that was binding only on the first generation of Jews who came to the Land of Israel) not to marry into each other’s tribe, along with a few other special reasons (which you can read about here).
One of the beautiful things that was done on this day, was that the girls of the various tribes would all borrow white garments from other girls from other families and tribes, even if they had their own, and would go out to the vineyards and fields in joyous dancing where they would meet young men to seek a partner.
It was a beautiful and joyous holiday in so many ways, but primarily it was beautiful in that it was about bringing different people together. Young ladies and men who were not yet married, women and men from different tribes, poor girls wearing rich girls clothes, vice versa, and so on and so forth. In addition, the commentaries point out that each of the other key events that the 15th of Av is known for were also about care, compassion and reaching out to others in the community and various segments of the nation.
If there was a day in the Jewish Calendar that was about Unity and Joy it was the 15th of Av.
Before the sun sets on this Friday evening, let’s remember the powerful and positive message of unity (which does not mean we all have to agree) and the message of joy this day represents. Let us make sure to live up to our Jewish values and strengthen the beautiful, peaceful and unifying message of Judaism for the betterment of ourselves, our communities and the world around us.
Shabbat Shalom
Yisroel