The day after #EyalGiladNaftali were found murdered, I woke early and began tending some garden pots at our entrance. I had to affirm life. As people passed on their way to the subway, I felt someone gaze at me with hatred and heard her comment to her friend. Wanted to ask her, Why?! Invite her to let it go. I bent over the Goose Necks. After a few minutes, a very dignified non-Jewish neighbor came outside to walk her dog. I enjoy our casual banter when we meet. She came up to me and said, I would like to offer my condolences. For the death of the boys. Im so sorry. They soothed me both because of the peace they implied and also because she got it - the murder of the boys is like that of my brothers, sons, my being and flesh. It reminded me of an article written by Daniel Gordis called “Because they were Jews.” In his words, “To observers across the world, Israelis’ reaction to the abduction and murder of three teenagers may seem a bit overwrought. Of course, the deaths of any three children, anywhere, is horrific. And yes, a tightly knit country like Israel will invariably respond with greater emotion than might citizens of other countries. How does one explain the presence of thousands of weeping people at the funeral, most of whom did not know the families? Why did Israelis across this country light hundreds of candles on sidewalks, hold each other and cry softly? Why were Jews across the world, in France and in Australia, in the U.S. and in South America, so mesmerized for three weeks as thousands upon thousands of Israeli soldiers searched for them?” Jewish unity is indeed a phenomenon that is most inexplicable, irrational and awe-inspiring.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 15:26:32 +0000
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