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As we have just recently embarked upon a new Jewish year, our joyous and celebratory mood has quickly changed to tremendous sadness and mournfulness over the unspeakable tragedies taking place in the land of Israel. Our hearts go out to all of our brothers and sisters who are enduring so much suffering, and our hearts are broken along with theirs.
Why is there so much violence and hatred in this world? There may be no satisfactory answer to this question. However, we find in our Torah portion this week, Parashat Bereishit, what might be considered the first example of murderous behavior in human history. Genesis, chapter 4, verse 8, states the following: "Cain spoke with his brother Abel. And it happened when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him."
The precise motivation for this murder is not made clear by the Torah. And perhaps that is the point. There is no good reason or justification for initiating violence. It only leads to suffering, hatred, and usually more violence to follow. Our job on earth is to protect and assist each other, not to inflict pain.
After committing murder Cain speaks to God, asking the question, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Cain seems to think the answer to this question is "no." We, however, know that the answer must be "yes." We are the protectors of our brothers and sisters.
Today, as we witness our fellow Jews, once again slain and tortured, we know that it is our responsibility to remember them, to honor them, and to mourn for them. We hope and pray that no more Jewish lives will be lost "Al Kiddush Hashem," for the sanctification of God's name.
May this be the last war our people are forced to wage, and may a time come some day when we, the Jewish people, along with all citizens of this Earth, are granted the ability to live in peace.
Shabbat Shalom.
Cantor Zachary Konigsberg
[email protected]
917-696-0749
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