It’s Day 335.
So much has happened in the last week.
On Day 328 we could not imagine what the next days would bring.
We are shattered by the loss of six more worlds.
Each and every one of the six hostages who were murdered last week was such a precious soul.
And as the days pass we learn more about their bravery, their compassion and their humanity.
A hero who returned to the killing fields to rescue more souls. Ori Danino had escaped only to turn his car back to save strangers. He was so filled with kindness. His mother says this was his character, he was always the first to help in any situation. She is sure that if he had a chance to do this, he would choose to behave the same way and do it again, having the chance to help someone is what defined Ori.
A heroine, Carmel Gat, used her skills in yoga and meditation to calm the children while in captivity. Carmel was an occupational therapist who dedicated her life to helping others.
We will never know the extent of their greatness.
The question we are left with is how to move forward.
One can smile through the tears as we hear of babies being born who are being named for these extraordinary people.
A baby girl called Eden Carmel
A baby boy called Tzvi Hersh.
The Jewish response to tragedy is to build on the legacies we have inherited, to learn from those we have lost and teach our children about who they were and what they represented in this world.
We had the privilege of seeing the funeral of Hersh.
Is there anyone amongst us who was not moved to our core by the faith, strength and deep faith that was expressed by this family and so articulated by Rachel.
“Rachel weeps for her children”
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel our matriarch, was buried in the side of the road as Jacob was returning home. She is not buried in the Cave of Machpela with the rest of the patriarchs and matriarchs in Hebron.
She is laid to rest in Bethlehem.
Jacob later explains to Josef, his son together with Rachel, that it was Divinely ordained that she be buried there.
As later in history when the Jewish people will be exiled from their Homeland, Rachel, will console them on their journey, she will come out of her grave, so to speak, and weep and and plead for mercy for her children.
And Gd will answer her and say “there is hope for your future…the children will return to their borders”.

Our Rachel cried for her son to return and it was not to be.
But her resilience and resolve, strengthen all of us in this terrible time, just like the matriarch whose name she carries.
In her eulogy, Rachel taught many lessons.
She alluded to the journey of the soul and she spoke to Hersh because our Sages teach us the soul hovers near the body at the funeral, reluctant to abandon the vessel that housed it on its earthly sojourn, so he could indeed “hear” her.
She referenced that Hersh was the perfect son for her, acknowledging that each child we are gifted has “chosen” its parents, and the unique challenges each child presents are perfect for their parents character development.
“We give birth to our homework” is the concept that our children are perfectly engineered to present us with the challenges we need in order to grow and be better versions of ourselves.
Rachel says “she needs to teach herself to feel him in a different way”.
Hersh ztzl may no longer be physically present in this world, but the soul to soul connection continues. Rachel know she will perceive Hersh in his new environment in the spiritual world, but she will still be able to feel his presence.
The relationship is not static.
It will continue to grow on a different plane.
I watched Rachel’s eulogy numerous times.
I was so moved by her fortitude and vulnerability, two characteristics which are polar opposites which she somehow manages to integrate and embrace.
The essence of a Jewish mother and a Jewish leader.
For as she so poignantly reaches out to the community and begs for their continued support, we too reach out to her and beg her to continue to support our broken hearts as we strive to heal.
Rabbi Leo Dee, who lost his wife and two daughters in a terror attack last year, went to console the mourners.
He is reaching deep into the well of his own pain to bring them a modicum of comfort.
Rabbi Dee has been an example of faith and resilience in the face of his own tragedy.
I can only imagine that his words brought a measure of strength and comfort to Hersh’s family.
So how do we go forth?
The Jewish people are an eternal nation and we do not fear the long journey.
But it is nonetheless long and often lonely, so riddled with pain and challenges.
Rachel begged for the community to continue to embrace and envelop her family in loving kindness.
She truly focused in on the lodestone of survival.
Because when we are together, unified, showering each other with kindness, we can survive against all odds.
And even our enemies know it.
They revel in our fractiousness and can strike when we are in strife.
But Rachel, in her pain, cried for community.
We need to create that for her and for ourselves as well.
As we enter Elul, the month preceding the High Holidays, we need to get to work.
Elul is an acronym for
“Ani LDodi VDodi Li”
I am to my beloved and my beloved is mine “
It’s a metaphor for the love between Gd and the Jewish people. It’s a time we try to draw closer to Gd and then Gd grows closer to us.
Expressing our Gdliness is by being givers. Seeing those around us who are in pain or in need and reaching out to create love and provide support.
That creates a loving relationship between people and brings out the spark of Gdliness within.
That phrase is often used to describe the connection between husband and wife and may even be engraved on a wedding band as a sign of eternal and loving connection.
Michelle Rukovitzin is a 21 year Israeli intelligence systems technician who was brutally injured on October 7.
She bears the dubious distinction and title as the most seriously injured individual of October 7 to survive.
If you see photos of her prior to October 7, her intellect is matched with great beauty.
Her injuries required her to be placed in a medical coma for months and she underwent multiple surgeries including repair of her eye which was destroyed when a bullet went through it.
A few days ago, her boyfriend, who has not left her side, proposed.
From her wheelchair, Michelle accepted.
May we hear joyous tidings in the days ahead.
We pray for the speedy release of the remaining hostages so they may rejoin the embrace of their loved ones.
Only then can our community begin to begin the process of healing and becoming whole.
May it be very soon!
Shabbat Shalom and so much love!