Words fail in the aftermath of the horrifying tragedy in Pittsburgh.
Eleven synagogue worshipers were brutally murdered while in the midst of their prayers. Six others, including police officers, were wounded. The FBI special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh office, Bob Jones, said that it was the most “horrific crime scene” he’s witnessed in his 22 year career with the Bureau.
The shooter, Robert Bowers, shouted “all Jews must die” while he carried out his massacre. Commentators are already calling this the deadliest attack on Jews in American history.
The name of the congregation in which the attack took place is “The Tree of Life”. But on this day it became identified with death.
What makes this all the more tragic is the event which was taking place at the time. The synagogue was in the midst of rejoicing with a family celebrating a brit milah and baby naming, affirming a child’s identification with the Jewish people.
A celebration of life turned into a bloodbath. And we can only ask, will it never end?
We mourn with broken hearts. But it would be a mistake if we merely perceived this as an attack on Jews, as but another in the lengthy list of anti-Semitic atrocities of history.
When Jews are murdered in a house of God it is an affront to every person who believes that all of humankind was created “in the image of God.” It represents the ultimate rejection of civilized society.
Sadly, what happened in Pittsburgh is not an isolated incident. It is an echo of a kind of evil which we have come to witness in recent times. And it is an evil which, either on a conscious or subconscious level, has a powerful motivation.
Terrorist attacks are heinous crimes no matter where they occur. Carried out in places of worship, their malevolence is not only magnified multiple times but their rationale also takes on a different meaning. That is unfortunately what we have seen with ever greater frequency.
In July 2008, Jim David Adkisson began his shooting spree at the Tennessee Valley Universalist church in Knoxville Tennessee. He killed two people and wounded seven others. He justified his actions by citing the historically progressive policies of the Unitarian church. Four years later a white supremacist, Wade Michael Page, attacked a Sikh temple, or gurdwaras, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, killing six people and wounding four more before committing suicide. In June 2015, Dylann Roof, a white supremacist who frequently posted publicly about his desire to kill nonwhites, murdered nine members of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church in Charleston South Carolina. And just last year 26 people were killed in the deadliest church shooting in American history at the First Baptist Church in Sutherlands Springs, Texas.
What explains this striking parallelism? Why have churches and synagogues and houses of worship become appealing targets of hatred?
It is almost certain that the perpetrators of these crimes know that they can commit the maximum emotional devastation when they strike at the very heart of the spiritual fabric of the community. Houses of God are sources of inspiration for good. They are the foundations of civility, of respect, of the dissemination of values which make possible human survival.
And that is what makes them such appealing places upon which to express their prejudices, their bigotry and – in the most profound psychological truth – their inner self-hatred.
Simon Wiesenthal warned us years ago that “the combination of hatred and technology is the greatest danger threatening mankind.” We have long been concentrating on the dangers of technology and its awful potential for human destruction. We need to put equal effort into combating the hatred which knows no limits and finds its most satisfying outlet against those very places which bring the world the beauty of God and of love.
See also:
(16) Anonymous, October 31, 2018 12:03 PM
God bless Israel
w a n t all news....
h o p e all good....
(15) Esther, October 30, 2018 10:27 PM
The Silver Lining
Another beautiful example of why I love to read Rabbi Blech.
The Muslims of Pittsburg have already raised over $100,00 to help the shul recover. This is the best in Islam and their true destiny.
Paying attention to these dear cousins will help encourage others to live up to their own highest selves. The more we honor those Muslims the better. We get what we pay attention to. Enough honoring this and others we inspire--why we could end up with peace in Israel.
(14) Moshe Schorr, October 29, 2018 8:25 PM
self-hate
I am very glad you mentioned that ultimately the source of the madness is "...in the most profound psychological truth – their inner self-hatred".
These neo-Nazis, white Supremacists etc.s are LOSERS. But rather that try and improve themselves they look to blame others for their problems.!
(13) Tonna, October 29, 2018 5:14 PM
misquote...
President Trump actually said something to the affect of "had there been someone there with a firearm the outcome might have been much different or much better. He did not say anything regarding an armed guard, to my knowledge. Nor, was he in any way blaming the innocent or the victims. Unfortunately, these are the times we have come to. Quite possibly though, having an armed security guard on the property may be the sad, but necessary action in our turbulent times. May G-d bless the victims and their families through their unimaginably difficult and very sad times.
(12) Berit Borge, October 29, 2018 4:22 PM
Very well written and important information. Berit.
(11) Dvirah, October 29, 2018 7:46 AM
Implications for the Shabbat Project
Very soon Jews in many places will be joining together for the Shabbat Project. In view of this and other recent attacks, high security for every event is essential. This may be discrete or overt as appropriate* for the location.
*In some cultures obvious security measures are a deterrent, for others they are seen as a challenge.
(10) Tony, October 29, 2018 6:20 AM
Words cannot describe
this shockingly sad and tragic event. What motivates a person to commit themselves to taking others lives in a manner such as this is beyond my comprehension. This world is in dire need for Moshiach to come and show the nation's how far they have strayed from G-d and what our world should be. Please G-d let Moshiach arrive today. My sincerest and deeply heartfelt condolences to the families and communities affected by this appalling tragedy.
(9) Anna, October 29, 2018 3:15 AM
I couldn't believe that Donald Trump blamed the shul by saying that if they'd had an armed guard there, this wouldn't have happened.
Blame the victims, why don't you.
Dvirah, October 29, 2018 7:59 AM
Reply to Remark
If Trump really said this, he should be asked if requiring an armed guard to go to prayer is what he considers an appropriate typical lifestyle for Americans and whether he expects the same of other religious institutions? (Perhaps yes, as in the past few years quite a number of "houses of worship" of vastly different religions/denominations were attacked.)
Yisroel, November 4, 2018 5:55 PM
Trump wasn’t blaming the victims...
He was simply stating a fact.
Those who have protection will not suffer huge losses. There have been over a million times per year when people who have firepower stop attacks. Sometimes ending in the attacker fleeing, just when responded to in kind; sometimes with an actual shootout.
Remember, the Nazis removed every gun from the homes of German Jews. THEN They did Kristalnacht!
I am glad that my shul has someone “packing” a gun every Shabbos morning!
(8) Luis Jimenez, October 29, 2018 12:55 AM
Dios salve israel
me gustaria ser miembro judio estoy en peru en la ciudd de Huanuco
Anonymous, October 29, 2018 3:40 AM
Gracias por tu apoyo!
Gracias por tu apoyo, Luis!
El hombre progresa pero también retrocede olvidando los males del pasado y es el mundo donde vivimos! Como uno puede concebir tanto odio que llegó a cegar a este criminal para cometer un crimen semejante! Sin conciencia alguna para matar a sangre fría a personas mayores rezando en la sinagoga, como si fuera el propio demonio disfrazado! Deseándote buena vida! Saludos!
(7) Alan S., October 28, 2018 11:46 PM
Is it possible that not all humankind is created in the image of G-d?
Another poignant, smart article by Rabbi Blech.
There are humans that act much, much worse than animals. So, the likelihood is that "in the image of G-d" does not refer to physical nor qualitative traits. It must connotate something else. But during this time of sadness, it is too difficult to think that a deranged gunman in any way has G-d like qualities.
Anna, October 29, 2018 3:21 AM
I'd like to think that this murderer WAS deranged and not a hater who wants to kill for bigoted reasons.
He's worse than an animal. When I walk my dog, he doesn't leap on other dogs who are different colours and breeds and they repay the compliment.
Jean-Victor Côté, November 4, 2018 2:10 AM
A brain is a delicate machine, which can break...
... and thus distort reality, or fall prey to hate mongering. Education and prevention of brain injuries and mental disorders could go a long way in mitigating the menace.
(6) Kevin, October 28, 2018 11:05 PM
I too am heart broken over this senseless brutality. This is true evil!! We are in the end days and,Satan is behind this. The Jewish People are G-Ds' chosen People. He hates our Lord and hates his People. The good news is,in the end evil in every form will be done away with! Amen & Amen! I truly love the Jewish People and pray for G-D to heal and protect and Bless every broken heart. Shalom!!
(5) Bracha, October 28, 2018 10:43 PM
Our thoughts are with everyone in our fellow Jewish community. May G-d avenge their blood.
(4) Janet Louise Hepi, October 28, 2018 8:10 PM
Tree of Life
The "Tree of Life"is to me one of the greatest symbols of life as a Jew-how dare he?I hope the family & the baby boy are
safe, my thoughts & prayers are with them from New
Zealand.Plant more trees!
(3) Anonymous, October 28, 2018 4:49 PM
My sympathy to the families.
I am a Christian and my heart is broken over this; don't know what to say other than I LOVE MY JEWISH BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
Bracha, October 28, 2018 10:41 PM
Thank you ?
Bracha, October 29, 2018 3:30 AM
Supposed to be an emoji, not a question mark
(2) Liz, October 28, 2018 4:46 PM
Prayers
Thoughts and prayer to the Jewish community involved in this atrocity, and all other Jewish communities everywhere.
(1) Natan, October 28, 2018 11:10 AM
Time to get out
To my revered Jewish brethren in USA and all the Diaspora:
It's been time to get out and come to Israel for several decades.
I and many others like me have (single, with families, rich, poor, etc.)
Yes, you WILL need to sacrifice.
Yes, it WILL be difficult.
Don't make the same mistake that we've repeated over history and wait for the slaughter to come to you.
When we show Hashem we're serious about redemption, he will redeem us.
We've been paying lip service to how important it is to live in Israel for millennia - time to put our money where our mouths are.
Survive the next holocaust.
We are the catalyst for the Geulah - it will not happen "magically" (see Rambam, Hilchot Melachim). Mashiach will come when we show Hashem we believe he can do it.
Actions speak a lot louder than words. Talk is cheap. Show G-d through action that you believe he can make Jews in Israel, with the Bet Hamikdash and Sanhedrin a viable option - as Ezra and his generation did.