Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
It would be fitting to speak exclusively about Yigal Yehoshua, of blessed memory. 56 years old, who was murdered by an Arab lynch mob in Lod.
It would also be fitting to speak solely of Gershon Franco, of blessed memory. He was handicapped and unable to reach a bomb shelter, and so he was killed by a missile that landed in Ramat Gan.
It would also be fitting to speak only about Elad Barzilai, a teacher and father of four, who was attacked by a lynch mob in Akko. Yesterday his condition improved, he began to respond, and even squeezed someone's hand.
It would be fitting to speak about more victims, many of whom did not make the headlines. To send them our regards, to ask about their condition. And, in general, we should be checking the status of every city, town, and community and the health of every family, those with a fortified safe room and those without. But one tragic event follows the next, and we witness one horrible scene after another. You hear about a shopkeeper whose store was looted and, the very next moment, about volunteers who came to fix up a synagogue that was burned. Every matter is important and urgent and precious, and so we are unable to devote proper attention to everything that is happening around us.
So I looked at the Torah portion of the week and found words that are pertinent to all of us at this time, in every place and in every challenging situation:
And HaShem spoke to Moshe, saying: Speak to Aharon and his sons, saying, this is how you will bless the Children of Israel. Say to them:May HaShem bless you and protect you,May HaShem shine his countenance upon you and be gracious unto you,May HaShem lift up his countenance towards you and give you peace.
Amen.
