The parsha we will read this Shabbas Kodesh, parshas Lech Lecha, is intimately related to the devastating, barbaric, nightmarish events that our Israeli brothers in Eretz Yisrael are currently experiencing. Sarah Imeinu implores Avraham Avinu to cast Hagar and her son Yishmael out of their home. The vile, blood-thirsty, wild animals of the terrorist organizations that perpetrated these inhumane atrocities against the offspring of Yitzchak are none other than descendants of Yishmael. To add insult to injury, they carried out their attack on the morning of Shemini Atzeres, while hundreds of thousands of Jews in Eretz Yisrael were dancing and celebrating Simchas Torah. In the poetic words of “tefilas geshem” recited on that normally joyous occasion, we prayed to Hashem: "זְכוֹר שְׁנֵים עָשָֹר שְׁבָטִים שֶׁהֶעֱבַרְתָּ בְּגִזְרַת מַיִם, שֶׁהִמְתַּקְתָּ לָמוֹ מְרִירוּת מַיִם, תּוֹלְדוֹתָם נִשְׁפַּךְ דָּמָם עָלֶיךָ כַּמַּיִם, תֵּפֶן כִּי נַפְשֵׁנוּ אָפְפוּ מָיִם, בְּצִדְקָם חוֹן חַשְׁרַת מָיִם"—remember the twelve tribes whom You took through the split waters, that You sweetened for them the bitterness of the water. Their offspring—their blood has spilled for You like water. Turn to us, for our souls are engulfed by water.
On that ill-fated morning, the despicable descendants of Yishmael, inhabitants of Gaza, attacked our Israeli brothers like vicious, crazed, wild animals. They brutally murdered over 1400 Israelis, including men, women, and children, committing horrors the like of which have not been seen since the horrors committed by the godless, accursed Nazis—may their names and memories be eradicated—during the holocaust of World War II. Entire families were burned alive. Their cries for salvation ascended to G-d: "שמע ישראל ה' אלקינו ה' אחד". The entire Jewish population of the world is overwhelmed with sorrow and is grieving the Jewish blood that has been spilled like water!
In truth, I do not consider myself worthy to express my opinion as to why this tragedy befell us. That demands a great Jewish leader with true “ruach hakodesh.” Therefore, woe to us if we say that which should not be said, and woe to us if we neglect to say that which must be said. Due to this quandary, I wish to fulfill the words of the navi (Avos 5, 13): "לָכֵן הַמַּשְׂכִּיל בָּעֵת הַהִיא יִדֹּם כִּי עֵת רָעָה הִיא"—therefore, the prudent man keeps silent at that time, because it is a time of evil. Rashi explains that a wise, prudent person will remain silent when evil occurs, and he will not question “midas hadin.”
On the other hand, what am I to do?! My brothers and colleagues, who regularly follow and study our weekly essays, are bewildered by my silence. Like the ship’s captain complained to Yonah, they argue: “How can you sleep so soundly?” How can you continue to write “divrei Torah”, elucidating sacred texts, and presenting the wisdom of our blessed sages, when the descendants of Yaakov are in trouble and under attack worldwide, without addressing the precarious situation? You must provide us with words of moral support and comfort our broken hearts!
This reminded me of a valuable lesson from the Gemara (Shabbas 118b): "ואמר רבי יוסי, מימי לא עברתי על דברי חברי, יודע אני בעצמי שאיני כהן, אם אומרים לי חבירי עלה לדוכן אני עולה"—and Rabbi Yossi said: In all my days, I have never disobeyed the words of my colleagues. For example, I know that I myself am not a kohen; yet, if my colleagues would tell me to go up to the platform (to recite the Birkas Kohanim), I would go up. The message is clear; it is imperative to heed the requests of one’s colleagues even if one feels unworthy. Therefore, I have decided to rise to the occasion, to provide words of encouragement and support—“chizuk”—for myself and my dear friends. How should we act and respond in these difficult times to subdue and overcome the powerful klipah of Yishmael? I pray that Hashem will guide me on a path of “emes,” to say things that are appropriate—that will honor HKB”H, the Torah, and the people of Yisrael!
