Showing posts with label Mumbai terrorism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mumbai terrorism. Show all posts

Sunday, December 14, 2008

YEHUDIT – A HEROINE’S MESSAGE



A message of Chanukah
By Carine

Nowadays, much is talked about how everyone should “understand” modern day’s assassins of good people, as if there were reasonable appeals for their wicked behavior.

The world has always tried to find a way to blame the victims of atrocities, while defending its murders. So, many people have blamed the very existence of Israel for terrorism per se that it’s beyond belief.

I remember that right after 9/11, I got a call from a “friend” that I used to give foreign language lessons to, and this person told me that the reason of the attack was America’s support for Israel. I was shocked to hear such untrue statement.

First of all terrorists have an agenda, they want to destroy everyone that doesn’t agree with their “religion”, point-of-view and hunger for evil and death. They pride themselves as “warriors” who aren’t in love of G-d’s ultimate gift which is LIFE.

These evil doers despise life and their deity is death itself, therefore they hate the idea of freedom for “infidels” in their distorted minds.

When, terrorism was only in Israeli territory, the whole world would give signals that it was Israel’s solely fault! Now, that it’s gone global, the “guilty minded liberal” mentality still seems to point fingers at the victims.

Meanwhile nothing is really done to prevent these horrific actions…After, few weeks of the Mumbai attack where Westerners, Israelis and Jewish people were terribly attacked, the government of Israel releases a “bunch” of perpetrators.

So, here comes a message of Chanukah that’s right on the corner – Yehudit the Jewish heroine, a feminine figure of the miraculous events that happened in Chanukah which illustrates that she was observant, pious, modest, yet charming and beautiful with a strong faith in the G-d of Israel.

This Jewish heroine teaches everyone that she didn’t only pray, but she embraced the mission of cutting off the enemy herself; first of all, she believed that if the Jewish people kept G-d’s commandments, they wouldn’t perish – nevertheless, she took upon herself a mission which in modern time would sound insane!

She prayed to G-d to protect, guide and deliver, thus, she went after Holofernes the Tyrant Syrian-Greek General – she went with a maid, and eventually after stuffing him with her delicious cheese and wine killed him with a sword by herself!

I’m not saying in anyway, that women or men should take “vengeance” matters on their own hands, but, into certain extent we must fight to cut off the evil that threaten us.

Governments shouldn’t be sleeping, thinking that the taking of one innocent life is fine, when it’s not; the blood of the innocent is crying out to G-d.

Women and men alike should take into consideration that we must trust in G-d, thus, put on armours of righteousness. Gentlemen should be working on being “good” and “loving” husbands to their wives and vise versa. Parents should be really compassionate with their children, and when these are wrong, shouldn’t be pat, but instructed with love, and daughters and sons should be compassionate towards their parents as well.

In resume, Yehudit the heroine’s story should resonate to Israel and the whole world; miracles do happen, but one has to do their part – we can’t close our eyes to the barbaric killings of innocent and say that it’s okay. No, it’s not okay, we must exclaim in words and in actions NOT to release the evil doers, but rather cut off the evil among us.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

RIGHTEOUSNESS IN THE BLINK OF DARKNESS


A lesson of life

By Carine

We have recently watched a righteous among the nations save the life of a little baby from the hands of terrorists in Mumbai – Sandra Samuel, the incredible nanny risked her life in order to save little Moishe. Miraculously, G-d has placed this heroine in little Moishe’s life.

We have no doubts that Moishe’s own mother gave her own life up for saving her precious baby Moishe; Rivka Holtzberg probably did everything to secure her baby and in despair called for Sandra’s help.

The super righteous non-Jewish nanny didn’t think twice to save his life. The fact that we can still see righteous people’s outstanding actions in the blink of darkness throughout history is comforting.

Not long ago, the world has found out about stories of righteous people who went out of their way during the holocaust to save in particular the lives of Jewish children; these non-Jewish heroes risked their lives, because they followed a conscious and didn’t feel intimidated by cruel tyrants who imposed torture and death penalty upon those who helped Jews.

Just recently, we came to know about the existence of such heroes like Sir Nicholas Winton and Irena Sendler, a polish catholic nurse that was able to save 2.500 Jewish children – most of those children that Mrs. Sendler saved were placed in non-Jewish homes, nevertheless she dug up a jar containing the children’s real family names, so that after the war, they could look for their real families. Some children were lucky enough to have a relative alive, others ended up adopted.

Mrs.Sendler’s story demonstrates an emotional and encouraging attitude in the midst of darkness. Even though, she was nominated in 2007 for a Nobel Prize – she didn’t get, instead Al Gore got it! Not long ago, she passed away.

Recently, many Jewish survivors saved in Poland are finding out about their Jewish ancestry, since they went through the horrors of the War and afterwards communism.

All righteous people should be honored and receive everyone’s reverence – of course, we all must act righteously; and the world would be a much better place if all people acted upon it, yet, those who do so – should receive our respect and honor.

Many current heroes are not known - yet, through their good deeds the world is saved everyday. The Holtzbergs were also heroes in Mumbai, serving and saving the spiritually hungry, and because of that were killed.

We must follow their examples, even if it’s not easy, and most of the times real heroes are forgotten and didn’t even get a Nobel Prize; we must give honor for the righteous heroes but – the more people joining in righteousness and chessed in the blink of darkness – more light will break the force of darkness.



Source about Irena Sendler: http://hmturnerfoundation.org/html/artjar.html;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irena_Sendler ;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZSu00RN2wk&watch_response

http://www.irenasendlerfilm.com/

http://www1.yadvashem.org/righteous_new/sendlerova.html



Irena Vs. Al Gore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVw1PANUcdg&feature=related#



Other righteous among the Nations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zoh6y8TX3M&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7xxS8VqZ9E

Saturday, November 29, 2008

GRIEVING FOR THE INNOCENT IN MUMBAI


Peril times

Few hours after I wrote about peril times and the importance of being together; the evil fanatic terrorists were acting on in India. It’s very sad to find out what was happening, and yet to see more and more disgrace. As soon as I found out the news I started praying; even before I knew what was about to happen in the Chabad house there I had passed e-mails for praying for the shluchim there.

It’s not surprising that terrorists do whatever they want anywhere and get it with a pass, as the Western society is sleepy. The terrorists attacked Indian citizens, Westerners tourists and aimed at Israelis and Jews – at this time, what was their excuse and what will the mainstream bias media blame?

It’s an unspeakable tragedy on India and its people. Yet, I doubt that much will be done against those who planned such attacks.

I spent the whole Thursday and Friday morning reciting Psalms (Tehilim) waiting for news and when the news came, it was a sad one. It saddens me tremendously to see that selfless people like Rabbi Gavriel Noach and his wife Rivka Holtzberg who were there to spread a meaningful life and light, happened to become martyrs.

We see that their lives will motivate more kindness and love towards everyone, yet, in my humble opinion, we should echo in prayers that the Western Society should awake from its sleep.

The truth is, that the West must acknowledge that it’s under threat, sure we must be good, and do more, pray more and ask G-d for wisdom at such peril times. I had written before the terrorists religion is growing despite all the horror.

So, first and foremost the West should become self-conscious and heed to G-d, instead of taking His name out of places, it should emphasize that in G-d we trust. Thus, in our daily lives we must keep on doing what’s good – refusing to give in to the evil in this World.

The first and foremost important thing is that we must unite and merit that G-d may heed our voices crying for redemption now! Then, all our opponents will be eradicated.

May the Almighty bring His Redemption.

Carine