Shoftim 5784
Shoftim 2024
Six hostages…
Each has a name.
Six murders…
Six individuals whose lives were taken before their time.
Each had a life snuffed out by ruthless terrorists.
Each had a life that was not revered in the eyes of their captors.
Each had a hope for their return to Eretz Yisrael
And to their family, friends and loved ones.
Each sensed that their freedom might have been only moments away.
In our Torah reading for this Shabbat, as the Israelite nation prepared for battle the officials were required to address the troops in the following manner:
“Is there anyone who has built a new house but has not dedicated it? Let him go back to his home, lest he die in battle and another dedicate it. Is there anyone who has planted a vineyard but has never harvested it? Let him go back to his home, lest he die in battle and another harvest it. Is there anyone who has paid the bride-price for a wife, but who has not yet married her? Let him go back to his home, lest he die in battle and another marry her.” The officials shall go on addressing the troops and say, “Is there anyone afraid and disheartened? Let him go back to his home, lest the courage of his comrades flag like his.” (Deuteronomy 20:5-8)
Rabbenu Bachya comments in our Torah reading for this Shabbat regarding the statements made by the officials to those who have been called out to battle “lest he die in battle.” The Torah refers to his premature death. This is clear proof that all the people who die in battle died before the time allocated as their life span at birth. We have still more direct proof of this in Samuel I 26,10: ”or his ‘day’ will come and he will die, or he will go down to battle and will die.”
None of these individuals died in battle. Each died as a victim of the terrorist organization Hamas. As Rabbenu Bachya clearly states they perished “before the time allocated as their life span at birth.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog eulogized the most prominent of those who had been murdered, Hersh Goldberg-Polin. President Herzog captured many of the sentiments we are all feeling, in despair and in pain. His words are a commentary on the words of our Torah: “lest he die in battle.” Here is what he said:
"Most of us did not have the privilege of knowing you in life, but you have been so alive in us for eleven months now; together with many other brothers and sisters, held captive by cursed, monstrous murderers –since Simchat Torah – which turned into the day of our disaster," he said. "Know this: We are witnesses, and we will never forget. There is no door in the world on which your beloved family did not knock for you, for your rescue and well-being. There is no stone they left unturned, no prayer or plea they did not cry out – from one end of the world to the other – in the ears of God and man."
It is not simply for Hersh Golberg-Polin, but for every hostage who was murdered, for every individual who was murdered on October 7th and perished in captivity. It is for every hostage who we still hold out hope for their return.
Rabbi Daniel Gordis, who lives in Israel, shared in his daily blog on Tuesday, following the funeral of Hersh, as to what is at the heart and soul of living in Israel, and perhaps even supporting Israel for here in America.
“Some will say that it’s deeper than that. They will say that as long as the agony of his captivity endured, as long as Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin, along with their daughters, fought indefatigably for the return of their beloved son and brother, we were blessed (for the most horrifying reasons) to see the very best of what Israel can be. Dignified, passionate, determined. Zionism that is genuine (they moved here, after all). A profound Zionism that also has a place for acknowledging the pain of all the innocent victims—not just us. Deep religiosity animated not by hate, but by boundless love.”
Remember their faces:
Give meaning to their lives by reciting their names.
Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23
Eden Yerushalmi, 24,
Ori Danino, 25,
Alex Lobanov, 32,
Carmel Gat, 40,
Almog Sarusi, 27.
While many of us will add, z”l, zichrono/zichronalivracha, may his/her name be for a blessing. Jon Polin, Hersh’s father said it best, “may their memory be for retribution.” I would like to hope that their deaths provide meaning to the immediate need to bring those who are still alive, and those whose bodies remain in Hamas tunnels and other places home to Eretz Yisrael.
As Hersh’s father said so very poignantly: "Maybe, just maybe, your death is the proverbial stone, the fuel, that will bring home the remaining 101 hostages."
And as President Herzog said: “Decision-makers must do everything possible, with determination and courage, to save those who can still be saved, and to bring back all our sons and daughters, our brothers and sisters," he said. "This is not a political goal, and it must not become a political dispute. It is a supreme moral, Jewish, and human duty of the State of Israel to its citizens.
"We did not fulfill this duty. And now – we have a sacred and shared obligation, to stand up and bring them all back to their homeland. For the spirit, resilience, and unity of Israel," Herzog added. "Of course, we do not forget for a moment our obligation to hold accountable the despicable murderers who butchered you, Hersh, your friends, our sisters, and our brothers. Here too, the mission is clear and binding: To continue fighting relentlessly against the murderous terrorist organization Hamas, which has once again proven that there is no end to its savagery and the crimes against humanity it is willing to commit."
Bring them home.
May their names be never forgotten.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi K.