ONCE UPON A TIME...THERE WERE THREE BEAUTIFUL ANGELS

The number 18, "Chai”, has taken on new meaning for all of us. This number, which always represents "life," now brings us a feeling of sadness. It reminds us of the 18 days from the kidnapping of Naftali, Eyal, and Gil-Ad until the discovery of their bodies. It reminds us of the 18 days during which we prayed and hoped, only to be let down in the worst of ways. The pain is horrific, the sadness is deep, and the tragedy can lead us to despair. However, as we grieve as a nation with the families, and mourn as individuals, I believe that these 18 days reinforce the eternal strength of our nation and remind us that "Am Yisrael Chai" – we are alive and well. I view these last 18 days as a gust of wind. The air is always there but it takes a gust of wind to remind us that air surrounds us at all times. The unity, love and caring among Jews is always there. These last 18 days simply reminded us of this phenomenon. And that is why these 18 days continue the theme of "Chai." The three boys, our three boys, are no longer alive but Am Yisrael, the Jewish people, is alive and well. We have a unity of purpose and destiny which exists at all times – during the good as well as the bad. We may have our disagreements. We certainly have our share of difficulties with one another. However, despite all this, we share a common denominator which cannot be broken by any of our enemies. We will mourn together while soldiers from diverse backgrounds will continue to search for the murderers, punish our enemies, and defend us together. We will return to work together and we will strive to make the country a better place together. We will rejoice in each other's happy occasions together and continue to celebrate our successes and lick the wounds of our failures together, and, yes – we will continue debating and arguing – together. Naftali, Eyal, and Gil-Ad are no longer with us physically. But we, as a nation, are alive and well – physically and spiritually – with unity and love for one another. The "wind" of the last 18 days reminded us of this reality but it is always there and always will be there. Dov Lipman’s words are echoed around the world by Jews, as well as Christians, as well as people who love life…L’chaim!!! Chief Rabbi David Lau said that the entire Jewish people across the globe were shocked by “the despicable murders.” “The boys who were murdered are a sanctification of G-d’s name,” said Lau, who has cut short a visit to US Jewish communities because of the murders. “They were murdered simply because they were Jews, and join the chain of martyrs and pure ones of our people who have been murdered throughout the painful history of the Jewish people.” Deputy Minister for Religious Services Eli Ben-Dahan said he closely felt the pain of the three bereaved families and said he was certain the prayers that were since the boys were abducted were not in vain. "I have no doubt that the prayers helped the Jewish people which has united around the families in the last few weeks," said Ben-Dahan. He also called on the cabinet to punish the families of the the suspected murderers as well as Hamas "so that this phenomenon does not recur," and to impose Israeli sovereignty over the Gush Etzion settlement block. "Firstly, the families of the murderers must be sent into exile abroad, their houses must be destroyed and rebuilding them must be prevented. Additionally we must take advantage of this moment and impose sovereignty over the broader Gush Etzion region."