My Psalm for Hersh HY”D
It was an overcast, rainy day in Israel today, very unusual for this time of year. And that’s how all of Israel felt today. Gloomy.
6 young, innocent hostages found murdered in cold blood by Hamas. Out of all the hostages, Hersh, as an American from a religious family in Jerusalem, had a special place in my heart. He was “my” hostage. The one I felt like I knew. And Hersh’s mother, Rachel, has been my inspiration since October 7th. A beacon of hope and faith and strength to me and to so many others throughout the world throughout this horrific ordeal.
Every morning, after davening, I choose a short chapter of Psalms at random to recite for the soldiers and the hostages.
This morning, with Hersh and the other murdered hostages sitting heavily in my heart, I opened up to chapter 11.
When I started reciting it, I did a double take. How bashert that I happened upon it today of all days:
יְהוָה, צַדִּיק יִבְחָן: וְרָשָׁע, וְאֹהֵב חָמָס–שָׂנְאָה נַפְשׁוֹ
יַמְטֵר עַל-רְשָׁעִים, פַּחִים: אֵשׁ וְגָפְרִית, וְרוּחַ זִלְעָפוֹת–מְנָת כּוֹסָם
כִּי-צַדִּיק יְהוָה, צְדָקוֹת אָהֵב; יָשָׁר, יֶחֱזוּ פָנֵימוֹ
“The Lord seeks out the righteous person, but detests the wicked and those who love ‘Hamas.’
“He will rain down upon the wicked blazing coals and sulfur; a scorching wind shall be their lot.
“Because the Lord is righteous, and He loves righteousness.
“And the righteous person will see God’s face.”
When I read this, I thought of Hersh’s death announcement for “A child of light, love and peace.” A straight and righteous person beloved by Hashem.
Hashem, by contrast, detests Hamas, savages who target innocent children, women, the elderly. Hamas terrorists will receive their punishment (maybe in this world but for sure in the next) and it will be terrible beyond imagination.
And the soul of the righteous, this child of light, love and peace, and all his companions, Eden, Ori, Carmel, Almog and Alex HY”D, will join all the kedoshim murdered throughout Jewish history for the “crime” of being Jewish. In the Crusades. In the Inquisition. In the Shoah. On and since October 7th. Their souls are right next to the Throne of Glory. As the Psalm promises, they will surely “see God’s face.”
May Hersh’s family, parents Rachel and Jonathan and siblings Libby and Orli, and all the families of all the murdered hostages and fallen soldiers find comfort among all the rest of the mourners in Zion and Jerusalem. Amen.
[Sivan Rahav Meir’s incredibly uplifting free pamphlet of essays by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks on living through challenging times is finally available in English. A must-read.]
https://www.sivanrahavmeir.com/to-be-a-jew/
