A Time to Mourn
Yesterday morning at around 10am Israel time, midnight here in California, Hamas released 4 deceased hostages. The remains of Oded Lifshitz, 82, Ariel Bibas 4, Kfir Bibas, an infant (all ages at time of abduction 10/7/23), were returned to Israel. The remains of one other person were also released, purported to be Shiri Bibas but remains unidentified at this hour. Israelis lined the streets as the caskets were brought home, standing in support and love of those experiencing unbearable loss.
Hamas had informed Israel a while ago that the Bibas children had been killed, and yet we hoped against hope that it was a lie. The stark reality of their death is a sorrow too great to bear. We are taught God is the healer of broken hearts. Even God, as it were, will struggle to heal that which is broken.
Worse, Hamas staged a propaganda ceremony around the release of the bodies and reportedly put propaganda materials into the caskets themselves. The UN Rights chief declared the ceremony “abhorrent.” Hamas has shown its inhumanity even in the releasing of the hostages. The abusive conditions, the staged release, are all genuine crimes against humanity.
In our heart break, what can we do? First, this Shabbat we will say Kaddish for all 4 hostages, to join our voices with their families, with Israelis, with Jews everywhere, in mourning the tragedy of their deaths. I believe we comfort each other, and the families in their grief, by knowing the whole Jewish world stands and mourns together.
Second, we cannot give up hope. The staged Hamas release? I saw drone footage of the event. Hamas set up the event to appear as though thousands were present when in fact there was a fraction of that number. Hamas wants it to look as though all of Gaza supports their murderous horror. They are lying to us. Hamas must be removed from power in Gaza, its capacity to operate forever destroyed alongside the other violent extremist groups acting in Gaza. Yet vengeance is a trap. We must always remember our real goal, which is safety and peace for all. Finding real Arab and Palestinian partners who want to build something in Gaza, figuring out how to empower the people who DIDN’T attend these abhorrent ceremonies, is critical to a lasting peace.
Third, we can donate in their memory. All four hostages were residents of Kibbutz Nir Oz and were abducted from their homes. American Friends of Nir Oz is accepting donations towards rebuilding the Kibbutz so that families can return to their destroyed homes. Donations in memory of Oded, Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir will both help the rebuilding and remind the families that we stand with them in loss.
We will mourn. We will cry. We will shout of grief and anger. We will comfort each other and we will be renewed in our faith, a faith in a God who redeems and brings peace to the world.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Booth
