“Baruch Dayan HaEmet. Blessed be the judge of truth. We
recite these words from our tradition upon hearing of the death of an
individual. I intone these sacred words to express our grief at the news
yesterday that the Israeli authorities found the three teenagers murdered and
laying in a field in the vicinity of the city of Hebron. We hoped and prayed
that these boys would be able to return to their families and we watched as the
Israeli army gave their frantic and best efforts to rescue them from their Palestinian
captors. Does it take this kind of brutality to demonstrate to the world that
Israel continues to be a victim of terrorism? Leaders will signal their outrage
and others their sympathies while other leaders will remain silent. Still some
of Israel’s adversaries will celebrate this brazen and despicable crime.
I know we as a congregation share in the mourning and in what
must be the unbearable pain that the families are experiencing at this moment.
For this reason I invite everyone to join me at services this coming Shabbat to
recite the mourner’s Kaddish as we add their names to the Kaddish list for the
next four weeks.
Naftali Frankel 19, Gilad Shaar 16, Eyal Efrach 19, will be
laid to rest. We pray to god “hastrireyhu b’seter c’nafechah l’olamim shield
them forever in your sheltering presence. And may their souls be bound up in bonds
of eternal life. The Eternal is their Portion and may they rest in peace.”
Once again this tragedy calls upon us to express our support
and solidarity with the people of Israel and its government. May the government
of Israel use its wisdom in response to those responsible for this act. Let us
pray for the parents who are grieving at this hour and that their prayers and
the support they are no doubt receiving from friends, family and those around
the world who reach out to them will in time to come ease their burden. “May
God comfort them amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.”
Shalom
Rabbi Brad L. Bloom
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