Get Personal

“I am a Jew.” These were the last words spoken by The Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl before his 2002 execution. I recall someone saying back then, these chosen-words said more about his killers than they may have about him. Not that he didn’t love being Jewish. He did. But their tumorous-hate for him because he was, was the point that was meant to hit home. 

And now, for Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, it hits home. They should be our focus. Not their killer. Not the wider meaning of their murder. There’ll be time for that. After Shiva. Their love, their dreams, and all they lived for should be brought up close and personal. 

My only advice yesterday was: staff offline. Unless you’re learning more about Yaron and Sarah. Because online, alas, people proclaim who they are and what’s important to them. Just as Pearl’s killers did. It’s like a rorschach test. What they choose to say, the places they take this wickedness tells you all about them. And, again: about them, we don’t need to know much more. 

Tucked into this week’s portions of Torah is the most essential word for Jewish dignity: komemiyut (Lev. 26:13). It means to stand upright, erect, unburdened. It’s a blessed alternative to a litany of cursed-consequences. And it makes its way in the Grace after Meals, when we thank God for Israel, hoping to be led back home standing tall. 

Standing tall can be hard when you’re bitter or broken. In a word thick with indignities and wrongs. Maybe that’s why the setting for the Bible’s only mention of our word for standing tall is when times are darkest.

So how do we regain our posture? By getting up close and personal with precious souls like Yaron and Sarah. 

Listen to Sarah’s own words on her Linkedin page: “I am eager to contribute to organizations dedicated to bridging divides, promoting religious harmony, and advancing sustainable practices.” And to Yaron’s dear friend, a Coptic Christian born in Egypt, who shared a memory of him this week. “He came to my birthday party and quickly smoothed over a heated debate between two friends without anyone realizing he had done it. That was Yaron’s way—you could feel him, but never notice him.” 

Now, we need to notice. Taking personally what is personal about Sarah and Yaron is how you move from the mourner’s bench to standing upright.

Am Yisrael Chai.