To my BIAV Family,
I am out of town visiting family but I did not want to let a Shabbat go by without connecting with all of you and sharing some words of Torah, some words of nechama (comfort) and of reflection.
Deep in our hearts we grieve the deaths of three Israeli teenagers, Gilad, Eyal and Naftali. These innocent souls were murdered shortly after their capture. What an awful, unspeakable tragedy.
During the last several weeks when their fate was unknown,the outpouring of prayers brought Jews together from around the world, and in their death as well we are brought together to mourn their passing.
Many statements have been made and meaningful words used to seek to express the depth of the pain, and to look for answers and explanation.
I have been frustrated not so much by the lack of good answers. Such events defy facile explanations, even erudite ones. What frustrates me is our constant need to justify our right to protect the lives of our own sons and daughters.
We saw nothing but dignity and restraint from the families of these young innocent boys. All that was asked for were prayers and action to find their sons to bring them home safely. Israel did whatever it could to locate the perpetrators and do exactly that.
Yet the world still called for restraint. It seems that anytime there is a response to a terrorist incident we are cautioned to not even take reasonable measures to defend ourselves. What will “the world” say?
The topic of world opinion has many facets, but one thing I know– it is not a new phenomenon. We have always been concerned with what the nations will think. Moshe even uses this argument on numerous occasions on behalf of the Jewish people: What will the world think?
I found it noteworthy, therefore, to find in this week’s Parsha, Balak, a counterexample.
Balak is threatened by the children of Israel and wishes to banish them. He hires Bilaam to curse them. Clearly, he was on to something. He knew that he could not defeat them in battle, but that they were susceptible to well placed public criticism. At the right moment, Bilaam could do real damage.
Fortunately, we find that Bilaam is not able to use this power, though not for lack of trying. Instead of articulating curses, he can only recount words of blessing and praise. As he explains to Balak, “How can I curse, that which God not wish to be cursed?” The Jewish people are God’s blessed nation.
Once he recognizes that God wishes them to be blessed, he even utters one of the most beautiful depictions of our people that we say every morning when entering synagogue.
“How goodly are your tents Jacob, your dwelling places Israel.”
Bilaam gazed at the Jewish nation dwelling in harmony, diverse in its tribal encampment but united in spirit and faith. Only blessing can fall upon such a nation.
The faith of the families in the face of uncertainty and tragedy has been inspirational and heroic. During this time they have repeatedly called for nothing more than the united prayers of our people. Our people have truly come together, in our synagogue, our community, and around the world.
I do want to note clearly that calls for – and acts of – revenge taken up by individuals are misguided and dangerous. We must trust that Israel will take proper measures to protect its people and we ourselves must act in a way that sanctifies God’s name in word and deed.
Let us strive to remain united as a nation- in faith, prayer and action. If we continue to act in unison and in line with our religious and ethical ideals, we will be ever closer to being a blessing in the eyes of the world.
These are very frightening times. My close friends and relatives in Israel report feeling more uneasy and troubled than they have in many years. We feel helpless, frustrated, and far away.
I’d like to suggest that our community take on a project in memory of the three boys, and I look forward to discussing this with you when I return to town next week. If this is a particular interest of yours, please let me know.
In the meantime, let us pray l’ilui nishmatam, for the elevation of their souls, and continue to come together as part of our ever living and blessed nation.
Shabbat Shalom U’Mevorach – Am Yisrael Chai