Infinite loss, indomitable heart, unyielding hope

Today, our nation is engulfed in profound sorrow with the incomprehensible loss of innocent lives. The recent return of the bodies of Kfir and Ariel Bibas, just 10 months and 4 years old, alongside esteemed peace activist Oded Lifshitz, has plunged us into a darkness that feels both suffocating and relentless. As if the pain were not already unbearable, in an added layer of cruelty, Hamas claimed to have returned the body of Shiri Bibas, only for her family to endure the devastating revelation that it was not hers. The anguish of not knowing her fate deepens an already unbearable sorrow.

In this abyss of grief, we grapple with a unique form of suffering — a “perpetual trauma.” This is not a singular event confined to the past but an ongoing series of tragedies that compound, leaving us in a continuous state of mourning and distress. Each new loss reopens wounds, making healing seem an elusive endeavor.

Yet, amid this relentless pain, we find a beacon of resilience rooted in our history. From the exodus from Egypt to enduring the pogroms, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Holocaust, our people have faced attempts to extinguish our spirit. Through each epoch, our unwavering commitment to sanctifying life has been our guiding light. This profound reverence for existence not only deepens our collective grief when life is desecrated, but also fortifies our resolve to persevere.

The recent atrocities have struck at the very heart of our community. Kfir and Ariel were stolen from their beds, with only their mother’s embrace to shield them from terror. Oded Lifshitz, an 83-year-old great-grandfather, dedicated his life to fostering peace, extending his hand to those of different nationalities and religions. Their brutal murders are not just personal losses but a collective wound that resonates deeply within us all. The horrifying uncertainty around Shiri’s fate is another cruel wound in an already unbearable reality.

In the words of Chaim Nachman Bialik, “במותם ציוו לנו את החיים”—“In their death, they have commanded us life.” This profound sentiment encapsulates the enduring legacy and responsibility bestowed upon us by those who have perished.

In honoring their memories, we must recognize that we are all interconnected. We are Shiri, we are Kfir, we are Ariel, and we are Oded. Their lives represent the spectrum of our community, from the innocence of youth to the wisdom of our elders. The love that binds a mother to her children and the compassion of a great-grandfather to humanity are the threads that weave our collective identity.

This shared love and unity are our most potent weapons against the forces that seek to shatter our spirit. In the face of terror and the deafening silence of a world too often indifferent, we draw strength from our togetherness. It is within our unity that we find the power to heal, to hope, and to defy those who wish to see us broken.

As we navigate this sea of sorrow, let us remember that our commitment to life and to each other is our defiance against those who seek to destroy us. Together, we are not just survivors; we are the embodiment of hope, a testament to the enduring power of good in the world. In unity, we find strength; in love, we find resilience.