Shavua tov and Chodesh tov- May this be a blessed week and month. This Shabbat we read/studied the Torah Portion of “Toldot- or Generations” It begins, “And these are the generations of Yitzhak, son of Avraham”.
How very fitting especially now with the continuous waves of hate directed against our Nation and Land, to remind everyone what our generations are and what they mean. We are the continuing generations from our Father Avraham who was given this Land by our L-rd.
A new week, a new month and the continuous importance of holding on to our traditions, to our heritage and protecting our Torah our Land and people.
This month has a very special holiday in it- the Festival of Lights- Channuka. For us in my community of Bet Horon it is especially meaningful for it is also the birthday of the re-establishment of Bet Horon, first mentioned in the Book of Joshua and then in the Book of the Maccabbee Freedom fighters referring to the famous battle here in “Ma’leh Bet Horon” (upper Bet Horon )
This month has always been one of remembering heroism and loyalty to our Torah and for me and my friends and colleagues it became even more a cause for remembrance of bravery heroism and heart ache for the loss of our beloved friends and colleagues HY”D, Yitzhak Boenish our Security Officer in Kiryat Arba, Alex Zwitman, and Alex Duchan residents of Kiryat Arba and members of the the immediate -response team along with the commander of the Hevron Brigade, Colonel Dror Weinberg on Friday night when an ambush was set for Jews returning from Sabbath evening prayers at the Ma’arat Ha-Machpela on “Worshipers’ Way” between Hevron and Kiryat Arba. In all twelve soldiers and civilan fighters fell in the heroic battle there. Friday night November 15, 2002 ,of course in the Hebrew month of Cheshvan- the month of heroism.
Like waves that never cease to flow back and forth from the sea to the shore- so our enemies continue the waves of terror that never actually cease. The waves in the sea are beautiful and the sound of the breaking waves on the sea shore is wonderful- but the waves of terror that never cease will also never succeed in destroying us.
We cling to our Torah- to our heritage -to our Land -and as the Nation of Israel we will continue to spread the light of our loved ones who were taken by the brutal merciless waves of terror simply because we are Jews. But as we learn in parshat “Toldot”- Generations – we shall continue no matter what challenges or difficulties or heart-break we have – we are blessed in our Land and shall continue to protect our heritage forever.