This past week has been challenging for us all. The shocking news of the six hostages murdered in cold blood, has torn our hearts asunder.
We are one people. What happens to one happens to all. Yet it goes deeper.
We are one body. Each of us representing a different limb or organ. We are “one” at the core and at times like these it is highlighted.
Incredibly, the inspiration and lift that we all received was from the very person that was experiencing the grief on the deepest level.
The mother of Hersh Goldberg - Polin z’l, started her eulogy by the thanking Gd for the magnificent present of, my Hersh. “For 23 years I was privileged to have the stunning honor to be your Mama. I’ll take it and say thank you. I just wish it had been for longer”.
The strength to thank Gd and express appreciation at a time of such pain is beyond words. Yet it does give pause to reflect on just how much we all have and how much we ought to be grateful for. Do we acknowledge our blessings enough? Are we both thankful and joyous of our lots and making the most of it?
This week we ushered in the month of Elul. The preparatory month preceding the New Year. It’s a time of closeness to Gd, a time to reflect on the past year, make resolutions for the year ahead and to thank Gd for all the opportunities that we are afforded in our lives. The raw goods that are gifted to us from on High, with which we have the opportunity to create something way greater than the sum of its parts.
May the memories of Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi and Ori Danino be for a blessing and may we all help perpetuate their lives by adding one Mitzvah to our lives as we embark on the year ahead —5785 — for life and for peace, for gladness and joy, for salvation and for comfort and let us say, Amen!
With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom and blessings that you and your family be inscribed for a good year,
Rabbi Yehuda & Dina Kantor