Hersh’s Legacy

Hersh, I never met you. Other than your mother’s description of a sweet, funny, inquisitive soul, I dont know who you were, but you certainly left your mark on the whole world.

Hersh, you were so young. Just twenty-three, a baby. You missed so much- marriage, fatherhood, and a career. But your story taught us all so much. Hersh, you became a symbol of love, hope, and faith in all its fierceness- your mother’s love, hope, and faith led her and your father to leave their jobs and wander the globe, knocking on any door that might lead to your freedom.

Your parents lived this way for nearly a year, their only thought, their only prayer for you and your safety. Where did they find the courage, persistence, energy, and ingenuity to fight so hard? Nothing intimidated them – they approached world leaders, the rich and powerful both in Israel and abroad.

It didn’t work –their eloquent and just cry unheeded. No one could free you–not even the IDF’s top commandoes, not President Biden, even though you were a US citizen, not the Pope or Elon Musk or anyone else.

It’s a tragedy but an instructive one. Here are a few lessons we can draw from your family’s story as we journey through Elul and into the High Holidays.

Even as we knock on every door in the world, we are powerless. It’s all a grand illusion –the IDF, the government, the media, and even the President of the US couldn’t force Hamas’s hand. Hamas wouldn’t listen to them, Hersh, and when those monsters executed you, they shot extra bullets as if one wasn’t enough to get the job done; their act was yet another example of sadism in spades.

2. The only true force is Hashem. As your mother said so clearly while addressing a group of Chabad women at Rachel’s Tomb, ain od milvado, and again at your funeral, there is only G-d. Only G-d Himself could have saved you, but He didn’t.

3. Your tragic end doesn’t mean that all the prayers and efforts on your behalf were in vain. Your parents never lost faith. At your funeral, your mother thanked Hashem for the privilege of having raised you–a fantastic demonstration of her rock-hard faith.

Hersh, dear Hersh may you enjoy a wonderful Gan Eden and May your memory be blessed.