The heart of the nation is
broken. A country all too familiar with
tragedy once again is mourning the loss of three of its sons. Three beautiful, innocent children whose
short lives were filled with mitzvot.
Who cannot feel the pain and
anguish of the grieving parents whose children were murdered? Their cries
pierce the heavens and tear the hearts of all decent people. The response of those who rejoice and
celebrate their murder tells a great deal about the nature of Israel's enemies
and of what Israel faces.
I was attending the dedication
of the cultural community center built by my brother-in-law when the news
started to circulate. A pall came over
the crowd as word spread and the emcee, Yehoram Gaon, announced at the
beginning of what was to be a festive celebration that the bodies of the three
boys, Eyal, Gilad and Naftali had been found.
Riding a bus, listening to the
news, walking the streets, I look at the faces of people going about their
daily lives and notice there are no smiles or laughter or joy.
As Israel's leaders prepare
and decide what to do in response, they seek not revenge but to show that a
price will be paid for sanctioned acts of violence taken against its people and
to deter further acts by not letting the perpetrators reap the benefit of being
acclaimed as heroes.
This day when the people of
Israel are in mourning and bury their sons is a time of unity. Expressions of sorrow and sympathy by Jews
and others around the world bring a measure of comfort. It is not a time for moral equivocation,
which is why the call by the president for all sides to exercise restraint is
at best poor timing. It reflects poor judgment
and is a slap in the face of an ally whose values we are supposed to share and
with whom we should stand at a time such as this.
May God send comfort to all
who mourn.
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt
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