Yet again, on Thursday night, a knife was thrust deep into the heart of the Jewish people, robbing eight young men of their lives, and hundreds of their loved ones of their joy.
I was putting my children safely to bed when Jerusalem began to sound with siren screams as tens of ambulances converged from around the city.
It has been more than a year since the last major terrorist attack in the capital. I looked at my wife, she looked at me, and we knew.
Late into the night we stayed up, jumping from Israeli to international television stations to follow the story that was shaking the land.
The lifeblood on the seminary library floor had not even congealed before the media had sliced and diced the murderous event, filing it away as an unsurprising and even justifiable response to Israel’s self-defense actions against the “Palestinian†terrorist attacks from the Gaza Strip.
Particularly galling were the comments of Israeli leftwing journalist Danny Rubinstein who, in an interview on Sky News, blamed the massacre, not on the Arabs who incited, inflicted and applauded it, but on the Jews who were “occupying” Arab [sic] lands and “indiscriminately” and “criminally” killing “innocent” Arabs.
Self-hatred is a disease that infects the minds of especially left-wing/liberal Jews, making them some of the worst antisemites around.
Misinformation and rumors flew thick and fast around the city. First there were no fatalities, and then there were many. First the attack occurred in a dining room where students were eating, and then it occurred in a library where students were studying. There were two terrorists, but then there was one. A second Arab wearing a “suicide” bombing belt was on the loose - but that turned out to be false.
Other people stayed awake late into the night. People? Human beings? It was hard to see them in that light as they prostrated themselves in Gaza’s mosques, then leaped to their feet in joyous praises, thanking Allah for the “heroic” deed carried out by the killer of Bible-studying kids.
This morning, waves of grief and anger washed over Jerusalem as the eight, shrouded bodies - seven teenagers and one 26-year-old - were laid out on benches in the sun. Thousands gathered outside the seminary, children peering in disbelief at the bullet-peppered windows, as rabbis and officials eulogized the dead.
Their words were heart-rending and, I pray, heaven-rending too.
Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, the head of the yeshiva, fought tears as he spoke:
“This massacre is the continuation of the 1929 massacre [in Hebron] and the blood of the prophet is still boiling. … The murderers are the Amalek of our day, coming to remind us that Amalek has not disappeared, just changed its appearance.
“We are all in need of mercy, the entire country. The time has come for all of us to understand that an external struggle is raging, and an internal struggle, and everyone believes the hour has come for us to have a good leadership, a stronger leadership, a more believing leadership,†he said.
“Pray for all of us and give good counsel to the families, to the anguished friends.”
Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar was weeping too:
“We have paid with our best boys, who were sitting by their talmuds … torah was their entire world, they are the roses that have been picked … and God will have mercy on us for their merit.
“You should know, dear families,†he said, addressing those who were so freshly bereaved, “that this is a mourning of the entire house of Israel, as one person and one heart crying as one for the dreadful calamity that has befallen us.”
Addressing the crowd and the Almighty, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski cried:
“Lord, nations have invaded your land, desecrated your holy hall, eight of our sweet loved ones, may God avenge their blood, who only yesterday were living amongst us, are no longer with us. Their lives were severed by lowly murderers … but the murderer did not wish to target them alone, but rather each and every one of us, each and every resident of the holy city of Jerusalem.
“For many years our enemies have been trying to ruin our lives, to harm us as much as they can. Jerusalem has paid heavily in blood, and the long long list was joined last night by our eight sons.”
Another rabbi and school headmaster, Yerachmiel Weiss, spoke in a voice described as breaking with emotion and tears:
“God is just, and His ways are just… We have questions; but the questions are so difficult, so difficult… How is it possible to eulogize one Torah scholar on Rosh Chodesh Adar? But two and three, and four, and five…?? Your ways are so hidden, Master of the Universe! … In Adar, we increase joy - look how much joy You gathered to Heaven! They were in the midst of studying Torah, such joy, such purity… We have been left with such a hole… I just want to tell You, Master of the Universe, what great people You took: Yehonadav - he gave [nadav, in Hebrew] so much; what purity and simplicity… You took Yochai from us - he lives [chai] in God, what Torah study he did; even while they were setting up for the Purim party, he came to learn Torah… You took Segev Pniel of the Avichayil family - what a family, and what valour [chayil] in Torah! … You took Yehonatan [meaning "G-d gave"] - what prayer, what Torah, what beauty… You took our dear Avraham David - just two days ago I had a long talk with him in his room - what knowledge he had, what integrity, what music he gave us with his Torah reading… and the youngest, Neriah - the candle of G-d, his light will be missing from us…”
As the bodies were taken away to be buried in their hometowns across Israel, analysts were warning that Israel could be on the verge of another “intifada” or violent Arab uprising, like the one that began in 2000, and took the lives of over a thousand Israelis.
As I write this, the Hamas organization that controls Gaza took credit for the massacre. The question on everyone’s mind now is how will Israel respond?
May it do so in a manner respectful of the spilled blood of these young men, and in a way that will deal a devastating blow to those who would murder more Jews.
It will take a little time, but may the Spirit of God comfort all who mourn in Zion today, console them, give them beauty for the ashes they have been left with, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness that weighs them down tonight.
“For I will turn their mourning to joy,
Will comfort them,
And make them rejoice rather than sorrow.”
(Jeremiah 31:13)
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So very sad… Rest assured that God is watching and their deaths were not in vain. I pray this atrocity will wake up every Jew in Israel, be they citizen or leader, to the realization of the killers that are trying to take over Zion. You cannot make peace treaties with them. You canot give away Jerusalem, or any more land! They do not want peace! They want the land. Their only ideal for peace is for all Jews to be dead or removed from Israel. Open the eyes dear Lord! Change hearts! make a way! Protect Your people O God! I pray PS. 91–Let it not come night them!!
Arabs rejoice now, as part of Satan’s agenda against the despised children of Jacob.
But their day is coming:
Take a look
http://teal-grn-dk.blogspot.com/2007/07/violencewillnolongerbethere.html
As a christian who loves the jewish people and prays for the peace of Jerusalem daily. I want to say that I am praying for those who have lost there lovd ones and are going through such painful times. I know that God sees all this and is welcoming your loved one into His kingdom. May the God of love and peace comfort and bless all of Israel.
your friend,
velma
The heart of every Christian who loves Israel is with those who have lost their loved ones in the terrible insane killing of these innocent Jewish lives. Those who have supported you faithfully in the past will continue to do so in the future, you are in our prayers always. While some who profess to be christians criticize you, they do not speak for those who do not, and have celebrated with you at the Feast of Tabernacles, and throughout their visits to Israel. May God strengthen you in this hour of grief, and bring to you the peace of God that has no connection to the lie of a “peace ” process that is now taking place. David
Shalom as I add my prayers to those who mourn the loss of the beautiful students.
Ps. 91 is indeed fitting …no peace treaty can be made with those who want only to steal, murder, and destroy Israel.
May God Bless and Keep His people!
As soon as I heard of the attack I scoured the news channels and nothing more than a ho-hum blurb was given on them. It wasn’t even the top story or the second story on world news. The mortgage problem was. My heart is grieved over this. I am in tearful prayer, asking God to arise to Israel’s defense. May He hear all the prayers for Israel’s comfort and strength during this time.
It seems so obvious that this is a spiritual battle come down to the sphere of men. Oh, how I pray that all leadership could understand. Is there much more that could be called evil than the murder of young Torah students? The devil uses hearts given over to hate to try to abort the plan of the ages, while the God of heaven’s armies laughs. Messiah will arrive at His appointed hour. Until then we must be about our Father’s business and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
I just weep and pray and find it so hard that the government has appeased this enemy for so long and even is willing to even consider a PLO state, what insanity, G-d tells His Chosen to remove the evil from you till you can see their arm no more.. Trusting in G-d alone, and then we will see G-d hand. Sometimes a King for disobedience to turn His beloved to HIm,,,,they need to take back Gaza, and not give up a inch of Land,,,ever…We continue to pray and know G-d will answer…
i am glad that the arab killers relatives have been arrested i only hope you destroy their home and send them into egypt where they belong.
“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold..” Matt.24:12 “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Rev.22:20
My heart is hurting for Israel and all the family,please; please get the evil out of your land and out of your government, throw them all out of Israel
O LORD GOD ,I FEEL A DEEP SADNESS IN MY HEART FOR YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL.THE TRAGIC LOSS OF THESE YOUNG LIVES AND INEXPLICABLE GRIEF OF THE FAMILIES AND THE NATION.I LOVE LITTLE ISRAEL AND I AM SO GLAD THAT GOD IS FOR THEM,MAY THE DAY SOON COME THAT HE WILL COME AND GATHER HIS PEOPLE IN,O THAT THEY MAY SOON BE SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS. THANKYOU STAN AND MY BROS.AND SIS.FOR YOUR LABOUR OF LOVE AMONGST THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL.THE APPLE OF HIS EYE. YOURS IN THE LOVE OF JESUS.BROS.JOE.
Feel so desperate and powerless. Also furious. Jews and Christians must pray unanimous to the G[]d of Life. Let’s be united. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!
This is but another consequence of many Israelis sitting idly by and allowing Ehud Olmert to stay in office. If Israel had a REAL leader….a Strong man–Benyamin Netanyahu, Israel would be safer—-a lot safer!!!!
If this does not cause Israelis to oust Olmert, Israel is all but doomed…..
SHAS MUST leave the Government! Israelis must rise up NOW and do what should have been done more than a year ago….
OLMERT MUST GO NOW!
My heart goes out to the land of Jerusalem. We may not understand some things, and we cry out loud to the Almighty God, and question Him why Lord? But just be assured that He hears us and He is with us through our darkness hours and tough trials. Keep the faith and continue to stand your ground, for soon the wicked shall be cut down like grass! Victory is the Lords! Forever! Amen
I am saddened by this tragedy and stand in awe of the hopeful yet agonizing words of the leaders of Israel, leaders of the yeshiva. It is sickening to watch celebration among Muslims in Gaza for these murders. I am an American living far, far away from the agony of this national loss, but may I plead with you, dear Israel, to show restraint and yes, even mercy to your enemies. Leave some room for the justice of G-d, yes even for vengeance from G-d.
I am sorry for the loss of these dear ones.
Sincerely,
Robert Oliver
Bless these massacred children, Lord, for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.
I did not know any of these children who were so brutally murdered, yet I feel so terribly grieved over their demise. I pray that the Lord will bless the grieving families, and that it be made known to them that our God does not sleep. I also feel their loss tonight, but take courage in knowing that the revenge from our Lord will be very sweet. May our good Lord bless each of you abundantly.In His prrecious Name I pray. Amen.
I am praying (and weeping) for the families who lost their precious ones. I am praying also for those who were wounded, for their complete and speedy recovery.
I share the grief of all Israel over the deaths of these beautiful young men who must have been planning to give of themselves and their lives to help mankind. I so regret that those poor people are not taught the value of a life in G-d and have chosen to take rather than to give. G-d bless their memories and may we all be thankful to Him that we have another day to bless, to strengthen and help the nation of Israel to grow and be the blessing that she is predestined to be according to the Word of God.
Let Us Pray to Know How To Do Unto Israel In Her Depth Of Grief And Sorrow, As We Would Need And Desire Done Unto Us In This Horror Straight Out Of Hell.
Each One Of These Children Viciously Murdered Belong Unto The L-rd - May Our Hearts Become As His; May We Embrace These Children And Their Families As If They Too Were Our Own - For In The Essence Of The Spirit Of G-d’s Love - They Are All Our Own.
In The Name Of Our Living Moshiach So Let It Be Within The Hearts, Spirits And Souls Of All Those Who Seek The One True Living G-d Of Israel And All The Earth.
God is love, and He gave His own dear son to be sacrificed for all. How it must have torn His heart.when Jesus was hanging on the cross. How Israel’s suffering must be tearing His heart right now. It is difficult for my finite mind to understand; but I trust that He is all-knowing, all-giving, and that He is love.
Thank you Stan. I was working that night.
The sadness and grief of those families who lost loved ones will pass. Because they believe in tthe Almighty, Who is Mighty to Save, and their trust is in Him, He will not let them down. God is faithful to perform all that He has promised and His redemption is not slow in coming, but He is merciful and longsuffering as Peter has said.
We all look forward to the Day when the whole earth will be ruled from Zion, when the King will have returned to Jerusalem. The whole of Israel will be saved.
My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones to the work of the enemy. The enemy knows that his time is short and he works most feverishly in the sons of disobedience to cause as much pain and suffering as possible. However, we know that the present afflictions pale in comparison to the glory that will be revealed. All of Israel will have a place in that Glory. All of Israel will see their Saviour and God coming to them in their time of greatest need. The Holy One of Israel will lift their heads and wipe away their tears and will bring them into joy unimaginable. That is what awaits you Israel. Jerusalem, your King is coming swiftly. Jacob, you will have peace and quite. No longer will your enemies encompass you or wag their heads at you when they kill your innocents. They Lord God Almighty will enter into judgement with the nations for your sake. You will be exalted and they will be brought low. You are the apple of His eye.
The Jews who add to the anti-Israeli-Semitic rhetoric are more dedicated to their Communist cause than the fate of their own people. They are a disgrace to Israel, the US and the Jewish people.
Stan I like your words ” with their roots cut off, no nation can survive” those words lay out the truth concerning Israel and Palestine and the whole world!!!
I read the remarks of rabbi and school headmaster,Yerachmiel Weiss, at the funeral of the seven teenagers he had taught after the bombing of the Jerusalem Semiary on March 6
I see a message from God in the names of the seven boys:
1.Adar, we increase joy -” The Joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10
2 Yehonadav - He gave -” Deut.31:23 “And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee” and John 3:16 , “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”.
3. Yehonatan -G-d gave Gen.28:4 “And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land…which God gave unto Abraham”
4.Yochai - He lives … Matt.28 :6 ” He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.”
5. Avraham David It is through the seed of Abraham all the world will be blessed, Genesis 18:18,
and David is chosen to be King of Israel forever.Psalm 89:36
6..Neriah - the candle of G-d, - Prov.20:27 ” The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD”,
7. Segev Pniel - valour - strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness and personal bravery
We all need to encounter the dangers in the world with firmness and personal bravery with the Lord as our strength!.
Messiah come quickly! Avenge the evil men that have been possessed by the
Spirit of Death & Destruction. Return to them to the place of darkness & torment
The False Religion of Islam must be exposed as the religion of death & destruction. We need the LIGHT of TRUTH to cover the dark regions of the
Middleeast my heart grieves for those without hope, living in bondage.
Release them, Bring them out.
WE await your day of Redemption & Restoration
Yeshua HaMashiah, come Quickly
Comfort your People in Israel, My heart grieves for their loss.
Words cannot express my sorrow.
Your people need your protection & your peace.
Hear their prayers, Answer them with your retribution & release them
from their sorrow, that they may one day be restored FULLY to what is
RIGHTFULLY THEIRS.
Im so sorry & ashamed at our Govt. meddling in your affairs, pressuring
your counsel & leaders to give { this is what they are giving THE LIFES
OF THE CHILDREN & THEIR FUTURE AS A PEOPLE & NATION}
OFFERED TO SACRIFICE FOR OUR OWN POLITICAL MOTIVITES
CONNECTING THE U.S. with MURDERERS & LIARS of the worst sort.
Dress up in suits & under the quise of a “peaceful religion”.
What fools are they that are sacrificing our OWN NATION to JUDGEMENT
frm the ALMIGHTY G-D. IS THE WHAT IS REQUIRED CONTINUALLY OF THE JEWS THE SACRIFICE OF MORE OF THEM TO MAKE MORE ROOM FOR THE
ARABS & PALESTINIANS.
SOLUTION:
LET the other ISLAMIC COUNTRIES give up a portion of their lands {vast lands}
surrounding ISRAEL the size of New JERSEY.
LET the other countries provide the land & support for their OWN people
instead of using the Palestinian situation to HARASS & MURDER JEWS.
Saudi Arabia could fork over some land & financial support to the starving
masses of misplaced people. but they choose to support Terror instead.
IF they would use the FUNDS to help those TRULY in need in these dire
economic conditions in Gaza etc… instead of giving them guns & bombs
Such stupidity.
ITS happening all over again the Genocide & Persecution of the JEWISH people
ITS just changed the look & presentation. Instead of Hitler Hoards of SS men
we have suicide gunmen & bombers shouting to a False God ALLAH, who anything but Godlike, it is obvious that Satan again is behind THIS last charge, to once & for all remove the lineage of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob {Israel}.
NEWs FLASH! AINT HAPPENIN ! YOU VE LOST. once again
& one day FOREVER!
Stand strong ISRAEL & WE who love the LORD of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
will be with you. ONE DAY STANDING SIDE BY SIDE IN THE KINGDOM
ONE IN THE MESSIAH. AH mane.
Please read this Word from Hashem via JNW
Y
(Isaiah 49:14-16)
But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me,
And my Lord has forgotten me.”
“Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.”
Y
Wars and rumors of war
(Psalm 20:1-2)
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble;
May the name of the God of Jacob defend you;
May He send you help from the sanctuary,
And strengthen you out of Zion…
Y
Israel’s Promised Land
(Genesis 28:12-15)
Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north nd the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
Y
Jerusalem DC – David’s Capital
(Deuteronomy 12:10-11)
But when you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety, then there will be the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide.
Y
Israel’s Restoration - Stage One: Physical
(Isaiah 43:5-7)
“… Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
And gather you from the west;
I will say to the north , ‘Give them up!’
And to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’
Bring My sons from afar,
And My daughters from the ends of the earth —
Everyone who is called by My name,
Whom I have created for My glory;
I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”
Y
Israel’s Restoration - Stage Two: Spiritual
(Hosea 14:4-7)
“I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him.
I will be like the dew to Israel;
He shall grow like the lily,
And lengthen his roots like Lebanon.
His branches shall spread;
His beauty shall be like an olive tree,
And his fragrance like Lebanon.
Those who dwell under his shadow shall return;
They shall be revived like grain,
And grow like a vine.
Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. …”
God’s Faithfulness to His People
(Psalm 89:3-8)
“I have made a covenant with My chosen,
I have sworn to My servant David:
‘Your seed I will establish forever,
And build up your throne to all generations.’” Selah
And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O LORD;
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints.
For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD?
Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the LORD?
God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,
And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.
O LORD God of hosts,
Who is mighty like You, O LORD?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
Toda rabba Stan.
Your personal and unbiased account is refreshing after my having read/heard/seen the secular main stream media’s version, full of their biased adjectives, of what took place in Jerusalem at the Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva.
I watched a CNN journalist’s questions of how these murders had to have been a response to Israeli aggression in Gaza and she repeatedly talked of the “cycle of violence” as if she has no concept of the difference between an aggressive perpetrating terrorist or an innocent peace loving victim. Also, reading that the UN is refusing to condemn this attack is no longer a surprise.
May Adonai Avinu YHVH Eloheinu comfort all of the families and friends of these dear students that were so savagely murdered without cause.
I am so outraged and furious over this masacre. I study Judaism and understand why a tzaddik (righteous one) dies for the sins of others. But my flesh cannot understand why The Most Holy One allows for such tragedy. Please God I beg that You end this now and bring to your Beloved, Peace, speedily in our day. I beg that You Eternal remove Israel’s government leaders for they have betrayed You. And place your Anointed Ones. And I ask that You remember all the families of these young beautiful children, who were doing Your Will. Please Lord of Hosts avenge President Bush for his anti-torah actions and words. RISE UP OH ISRAEL FOR YOUR DAY OF GLORY IS NEAR! I love you!!