Consolation

It is clear that the Jewish people have not yet recovered from the shocking horrors of Simchat Torah. There is still so much sadness, and so much mourning.

We must be aware that there is consolation in the middle of all of this turmoil. It should be comforting on a certain level to know that none of these people died in vain.

The Talmud speaks of the high place in Heaven that awaits the souls of those classified as הרוגי מלכות, which is loosely translated as those who lost their lives, only because they were Jews.

We must remember that this world is imperfect and temporary. The next world is referred to as עולם האמת, the world of truth, that is eternal. Those precious souls that were taken from us, have been welcomed by Hashem, and have been granted the highest level of eternal bliss.

There was a story going around that one of the young men murdered at the “festival,” appeared to his father in a dream. The night after his funeral he assured his father that he was in the best place imaginable. He thanked him for trying to instill in him, Jewish tradition and Jewish values.

The father told the story to those who came to comfort him at his Shiva. He said that the dream of his son, gave him great peace of mind. The same is true for all of those who perished.

It is my great hope that all of Israel will find clarity and comfort, during these difficult times. G-d clearly has a plan that will allow us to emerge as a much stronger and holier nation than we ever were. May we defeat our enemies, and may all of the sadness turn into great joy!