At this very sorrowful time, as we make the painful transition from prayerful expectation of their release to the tragic reality of the brutal murder of our children, let us listen to the words that the extraordinarily brave and dignified mother of Naftali Franklin, Rachel, addressed to the Jewish Community of Geneva last week:

“People say, ‘I have prayed with so much devotion, Hashem must listen to me.’ 

“Things don’t work that way. Hashem will answer our prayers in accordance with His Will; Hashem will do what is right - as He sees. It is good to acknowledge G-d, singing His praise, irrespective of the results of our prayers. It is simply good to acknowledge G-d!”

Rachel added:

"We see unity, unconditional love, kindness and prayers of Jews of all stripes from all around the world - and from non-Jews too. We see Ultra-Orthodox, Secular, Left, Right - Jews from across the spectrum. Sadly, we have not seen unity on this scale for a very long time. So many Jews have accepted upon themselves to give charity, to do Mitzvot, Chessed (kindness), Unconditional Love - this is a concrete result!”

When this past Sunday, the parents of the boys were presented with Books of Mitzvot, containing pledges to do mitzvoth and acts of kindness, Avi Frankel said:  “This is the most moving thing that we have received until now.” Rachel added, “This is exactly what we wanted, for people to increase mitzvot in their merit.” Bat Galim Shaar noted that “receiving this book was the most important thing for us.” (For more on the Book of Mitzvot, see here)

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, perhaps the wisest Jewish sage of our time, is the Dean of Makor Chaim high school which Gilad Shaar and Naftali attended. Here is how he responded:

"People will light memorial candles, recite prayers, and attend vigils. Our boys were killed al Kiddush Hashem, because they were Jews. Therefore, to best honour their memories – indeed, to confront evil –we must act always as proud Jews, in our deeds and through our lives.”

As we search for ways to respond to this terrible tragedy, let us honour Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Franklin in the way that those who knew them best would want us to: Be proud of our Jewishness, be unified with and openly express our love of Jews of all stripes, pledge to perform mitzvot  and do acts of kindness and goodness.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM - 4 Tammuz, 5774 / 2 July, 2014