But after that, the first question everyone asks is, “what about tomorrow?” On Monday we are expecting some 50,000 people in Hebron, to participate in our Sukkot music festival, outside M’arat HaMachpela. This year, the festival is headed up by Ya’akov Shwekey, one of the most popular Chassidic singers in the business today. Shwekey in known to bring out big crowds, and a free concert in Hebron is sure to be a huge event.
Eleven years ago, following Rabbi Shapira’s murder, we faced the same, identical question. And we didn’t cancel. The show went on. We hosted thousands more than we’d expected. People showed their support for Hebron and their disdain for terror by voting with their feet, by coming into Hebron in droves.
We expect the same tomorrow. Of course, the show will go on. There will be pain, pain at the needless killing of another Israeli, in the line of duty. But, actually, we are all soldiers in the line of duty.
No, not only the Jews of Hebron. Jews in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Haifa and Beer Sheva. We are all soldiers, whether we wear uniforms or not. We are living in our land, and still fighting for our land, against those who wish to take it from us. Our enemies don’t distinguish between Hebron and Tel Aviv, Sderot or Beit El. It’s all the same. And the way to fight them is to continue to live in all these places, to continue on, despite the difficulties, despite the pain and the blood. There is no choice, it’s us or them. And we don’t have any intentions to allow them to win. Whatever the cost.
That is the way of an army, of soldiers, and that is what we all are. As will be the multitudes who will fill Hebron tomorrow.
Sukkot is a feast of joy and happiness. This year, there will be a tinge of black over the blue skies of Monday’s concert. But one of the answers to Sunday’s murder is to keep the show going, and that’s what will happen. Forever and ever and ever.
