1. Responding to Tragedy in Yerushalayim
It is a very sad day for Jews all over the world due to the terrible tragedy that happened this morning in Yerushalayim—the holy city of Jerusalem. As a rabbi, it is especially difficult to speak at a time like this, when people are searching for answers and asking why such things happen. The truth is, it is impossible to make sense of or rationalize these events. People want explanations, but there are times when we simply cannot understand.2. Parallels Between Akeidas Yitzchak and Today’s Events
We recall how Avraham got up in the morning and instituted Tefillah Shacharis—the morning prayer. Hashem told him to bring up his son as an olah—a sacrifice—on Har HaMoriah. Avraham rose early for Shacharis, and brought his son up, but Hashem told him to bring him down again. In contrast, today people got up in the morning to go to shul, to daven Shacharis, just as Avraham instituted. It is always called the Akeidas Yitzchak—the binding of Yitzchak—and tragically, today people were also bound in their tallis and tefillin, wrapped up at the holiest moment, devoting their lives to Hashem through prayer.3. Remembering the Victims and Their Devotion
Among those murdered were great rabbis, Talmidei Chachamim, heads of yeshivas—some even from our local Boston area. But at this point, it does not matter how great or learned they were—they were Jews killed al Kiddush Hashem, simply because they were Jews.4. The Age-Old Hatred: Esav Versus Yaakov
This tragedy reflects the ancient hatred of Esav for Yaakov. In today’s portion of Chumash, we read how others could not stand Yitzchak’s success. Whenever Yitzchak dug a well—symbolic of uncovering wellsprings of Torah and Jewish life—the plishtim would cover it up (sitmum Plishtim, Bereishis 26:15). These victims delved into Torah’s beauty and were cut down in their prime by savage brutality.5. Turning Our Hearts and Strengthening Ourselves
All we can do now is turn our hearts and prayers to Hashem so that such tragedies never happen again, that He should protect Klal Yisrael wherever they are. May He gather their souls in the bond of life (b’tzror hachayim es nishmoseihem). Giving one’s life al Kiddush Hashem—body and soul—is considered the highest level. But we must also respond with action: we need to strengthen ourselves, especially in our observance of Tefillah Shacharis. We may not understand Hashem’s calculations (cheshbonos shel HaKadosh Baruch Hu), but we know with certainty that our response must be one of strengthening.6. Strengthening Our Commitment to Prayer and Community
It seems only logical that we need to strengthen our commitment to morning prayer specifically. When our enemies try to instill fear so that we will be afraid to come to shul or daven, our response must be increased devotion: coming on time, davening with greater concentration (Kavanah), refraining from talking during davening, looking inside the siddur, and intensifying our prayers. If you can come once a week or twice a week—whatever your schedule allows—make an extra effort. Our answer to these cursed enemies (Resha’im Arurim) is not fear or retreat but renewed strength and devotion. We will not let them win or even make a dent in our commitment; on the contrary, we will become stronger.7. Praying for Protection and Goodness Ahead
With Hashem’s help (B’ezras Hashem) there should be no more suffering—lo sokum pa’amayim tzarah (Nachum 1:9), no second occurrence of tragedy—and only goodness and kindness should pursue us all our days (ach tov vochesed yirdefuni kol yemei chayoy, Tehillim 23:6).8. Reciting Tehillim Together as a Community Response
In response, let us recite Tehillim together—specifically Kapitel 119 [UNCLEAR: which corresponds with today’s date (Yoim Khofei)]. [Tehillim 119:1–16 recited together; the by-ear transliteration is omitted.]