* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin ([email protected])
On this difficult morning, the following words were sent directly from Sderot, located less than a mile from the Gaza Strip, by a resident of that city, Rabbi Hagai Lundin:
A. We are presently at war. A surprising and painful war. Many members of resident families and many of our friends have been killed or wounded, and many are fighting for their lives. True, it is scary now, but this is the time to utilize our minds, our hearts, and our souls.
B. The pain we feel for the dead and wounded is immense. But this is not the Holocaust, this is not the Yom Kippur War, and it's not the end of the State of Israel. We are talking about a terrorist organization that the State of Israel will defeat, with God's help. This is not a matter of if, but of when.
C. Despite the temptation to submit to despair and, addictively, watch the news, it would be better for each of us to stay updated only to the extent that is comfortable for us and those around us to be kept informed.
D. Passing along rumors and watching videos may only serve to create hysteria. We must filter out irrelevant pronouncements and, above all, reinforce positive and uplifting messages.
E. At this time, our children are very much in need of their parents. We must help them understand the news, talk with them, pray with them, and mainly radiate faith and confidence in the challenging days to come.
F. Remember: The story of the nation of Israel did not begin yesterday and it will not end today. We have survived much more difficult things. In the end, the Nation of Israel and the entire world always triumph over evil, with God’s help: “For the Lord will not abandon His people, nor forsake His inheritance."
May we hear only good news.
