Adapted from the sermon Rabbi Goldberg gave this past Shabbat to his congregation, Boca Raton Synagogue.
When we send our children to school, we take for granted we’ll see them at the end of the day. School is supposed to be a safe place, a nurturing environment that promotes learning, growth and happiness. And yet, this past Wednesday, a day we will never forget, Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, just 20 minutes from here, became a place of inconceivable and tragic devastation. Seventeen lives cut short, abruptly ended out of insanity and evil.
Each one of these horrific school shootings strike us and break our hearts, but this one happened in our backyard. If we don’t know students or staff at the school directly, we all know people who know someone who goes there or has a connection to the school.
Yesterday, my daughter and I went to the funeral of 14-year-old victim, Alyssa Alhadeff. Neither of us ever met Alyssa or her family, but we felt drawn to grieve with her community and to show solidarity with her friends and family. Their Rabbi, my friend, Shuey Biston introduced me to the parents and all I could say was, “You have never met me, but I am here representing my community to let you know how terribly sorry we are and that we are here to do absolutely anything in the world to give you strength and comfort during this painful time.”
Alyssa Alhadeff
Our hearts broke as we watched Rabbi Biston tear keriah, not only on Alyssa’s parents, but on her two young brothers and then recite with them words that almost impossible to say, but that reflect the deepest faith, God is the Judge of truth.
As the funeral began, it occurred to me that normally parent’s light a Shabbos candle each Friday night for each of their children. However, this past Friday night, rather than light a Shabbos candle corresponding with Alyssa’s life, her bright light, her mother was going into Shabbos having lit a shiva candle, to mourn her dark passing.
Each of these 17 victims is a unique expression of God, a world unto themselves.
At the funeral we learned about how mature Alyssa was, how she excelled in soccer and was a leader among her friends. She wanted to be a doctor and help people. She was fun loving and a great big sister. Alyssa’s mom said that when she would lock the door at night, Alyssa who was fundamentally positive and optimistic would say, Mom - why are you bothering to lock the door, nothing bad ever happens in Parkland.
We heard one story, but each of these 17 victims is a unique expression of God, a world unto themselves. Children who were described as angels in their kindness and compassion. Adults including heroes like Scott Beigel was murdered because he unlocked his classroom door to let more students in, and Aaron Feis, a coach who died while pushing a student out of the way and jumping between her and the shooter.
Seventeen, mostly children, filled with potential that will never be fully realized, contributions we will never benefit from, dreams and aspirations that will never be actualized. Their lights have been extinguished and the world is a darker place as a result.
How do we maintain any hope in the future? How do we not become pessimistic, fatalistic, lose our faith in humanity and in God? Friday was the tenth anniversary, a decade since the Merkaz Ha’Rav Massacre. Eight yeshiva boys, guilty only of the crime of learning Torah were gunned down and murdered in their yeshiva. When one learns of these incidents in which innocent children are murdered in cold blood, why should we maintain faith in the world, why should we believe it is safe to send our children to school?
I want to share with you an incredible midrash (Esther Rabba 7:13):
“When this decree was signed and delivered to Haman, he and all his associates began rejoicing. As it happened, Mordechai was just then walking in front of him. He saw three children coming from school and ran after them. They followed Mordechai to see what he would ask the children. When Mordechai came up to them, he asked one of them to repeat what verse he had just studied. He said: ‘Be not afraid of the sudden terror or of the destruction of the wicked when it comes.’ The second one followed and said, ‘Plan a conspiracy and it will be annulled, speak your piece and it shall not stand for God is with us.’ Then the third spoke up and quoted the verse: ‘Even when you age, I remain unchanged; and even till your ripe old age, I shall endure. I created you and I will bear you; I will endure and rescue.’ When Mordechai heard this, he smiled and was exceedingly glad. Haman said to him, why are you so happy over these words of these children? Mordechai answered: Because of the good news they have given me, that I need not fear evil that you have formed against us. Haman got angry and declared he would lay his hands on the children first.”
The Vilna Gaon (Kol Eliyahu) explains that the verses the children recited correspond with three times that Amalek attacked us and three separate methodologies they employed and yet, here we are, still standing, not only surviving, but thriving.
Mordechai looked to the children who despite the grave threat they faced, maintained an incredible degree of optimism, hope and faith.
The Maharal explains that when Mordechai saw that the children continued to learn, that they were quoting verses and drawing from Judaism, he was confident and optimistic in the Jewish future.
When Mordechai was feeling despondent, when he was anxious about what would be and where would he find the strength to continue, he looked to the children, the school children who despite the grave threat and the horror they faced, maintained an incredible degree of optimism, hope and faith.
At Alyssa’s funeral, a few of her friends spoke in addition to her family and I was so impressed by how the message was not one of anger, bitterness or politics, but a call for honoring her memory by being kind, optimistic, good and caring to others. Rabbi Biston quoted the Rebbe who taught, when we are struck by extreme darkness, our mission is to respond with extreme light.
Our children are watching and listening to how we react to events like this week. Does it make us grow cynical, angry, hardened, pessimistic or negative? Does it cause us to lose our faith? They are looking to us, but the midrash reminds us that in these moments, we should be looking to them. We should emulate their childlike positivity, their faith and belief that all will be good.
The events of this week were tragic, but we must respond with increased faith and extreme light. Seventeen candles in our backyard were extinguished. We owe them our best effort to make our light burn brighter and to illuminate the darkness caused by the absence of their light.
(9) Anonymous, February 19, 2018 9:42 PM
HASHEM is the True Judge. The shooter was Jewish we have failed to live up to our responsibility to our brothers and sisters.
Shelly, February 20, 2018 3:37 PM
WHAT?!?!
You state “the shooter was Jewish”.
Where did you get that erroneous information?
(8) Anonymous, February 19, 2018 8:22 PM
Rabbi Packouz wrote “Rabbi Biston quoted the Lubavitcher Rebbe who taught when we are struck by extreme darkness, our mission is to respond with extreme light.” NO! Our mission is to eradicate the darkness. Extreme light is not the answer. Sensible gun laws are the answer. GET REAL!! Reply · Delete · 1m
(7) Anonymous, February 19, 2018 1:43 AM
no mention of mentally ill should be locked up or the negligence of FBI
If schools had armed guards, there would be no shootings. If you take away guns from all in America, the "shooters" will use bombs, machetes...another thing: when this country was not so afraid of OFFENDING the psychotics and locked them up away from us, we were safer. And about the FBI: all you ever hear is tell someone...so the guy told the FBI and they blew it, just like they blew 9.11.-01 and so many other things.
Baruch Dayan HaEmet to the beautiful children who were murdered.
Nancy, February 19, 2018 12:36 PM
To commenter #7 anonymous
Remember the Oklahoma City bombing of the day care center? Yes, that "shooter" used a bomb. Of course nothing is perfect/fool proof. As I stated in a different comment, some maniac will ALWAYS be able to get his hands on a gun or any other type of weapon for that matter. However, we have a serious gun problem in this country. When there are 18 school shootings within approximately 6 weeks, then SOMETHING must change!
(6) Nancy, February 19, 2018 1:02 AM
To commenter Neil Lattin
I agree with you completely. This former student should NEVER have been allowed to own a gun! Never! Since the beginning of 2018, we have had 18 school shootings. Something must change. And no, nothing is perfect even if gun laws become stricter. Yes, some crafty individual will always be able to get his hands on a gun. However, this does not mean we are allowed to sit back and do nothing.
Yisroel, February 19, 2018 10:47 AM
For the “children’s sake”, have we gone mad?
The Torah says to protect yiurself!
הבא להרגך, השכם והרגו!
If one comes to kill you, get up early and kill him! This does not mean go around killing. But be ready to defend yourself. We need to get rid of Gun Free Zones, not more laws that aren’t followed!
How can you not see that extra gun control laws did NOT succeed? The FBI dropped the ball TWICE! The local police were called to his house 39 TIMES!
The best defense is a good offense!
We need to abolish Gun-Free zones!!!
Not ban rifles, hand guns etc.
Law abiding citizens listen to laws. Evil and mentally ill patients do NOT. We need to protect children by allowing senior members of staff (assistant principals to be highly trained and to carry a weapon and to let everyone Know that there are a %age of citizens who carry IN every school. Then school shootings will stop!
This is proven by study after study, case after case.
Evil people want to commit the most havoc. They seek out Gun Free zones!
In every state where school officials/teachers are allowed to carry, there are ZERO school shootings!
May HaShem give much Nechama to these poor parents and family who have lost their precious children to an Evil man, because of kind and well-intentioned but severely Misguided policies that have done more to harm than to protect....
(5) Anthia Terwogt, February 18, 2018 11:28 PM
Thank you all very much for sharing the features and memorials of your beloved ones!
It touches me deeply, all that has been said about these beautiful people! I mourn with you all from Holland! My sincere condoleances and all blessings and strength from HaShem to continue life with them in your hearts, honoring them in so many special ways!
(4) Anonymous, February 18, 2018 10:24 PM
Guns are an issue
For people to ignore the gun problem makes them part of the problem. We aren’t truly shocked and that’s not normal. These killings have become the norm and that’s sad. We should absolutely demonize the NRA. It’s because of them that so many in congress refuse to even talk about gun control. They have an unwarranted fear that their “toys” will be taken from them and fail to see that there is a problem in this country with guns and killing. Now granted, other issues are involved, however, this type of gun used is only meant to kill -period. Adding more guns to any situation is not good. Sadly, congress and society failed these kids and now 17 families are without loved ones. Stop ignoring a problem and work together for a solution - not talking about only has one ending and it isn’t a good one.
(3) Selma Adler, February 18, 2018 9:01 PM
What is your anwer to the violence?...to light a candle?
What is your answer, Sir?
Why don't you speak truth to the powerful
like our prophets did.
Why don't you expose the real issue here:
The NRA bribing politicians, and politicians
avoiding any mention of assault rivals, in the
hands of angry children, adolescents, and grown ups,
killing, not so softly, your society.
My criticism of this administration is not political,
but criticism of sycophants politicians, who serve the rich and
the powerful and not the peoople of America.
Anonymous, February 19, 2018 10:51 AM
Speaking up to power at a funeral? Please!
That is not the correct venue, even if your misguided concern would cause any help.
Please stop and think.
We need to get Rid of Gun Free Zones!
That is the correct way, the proven way by study after study.
And the Torah way!
Please see my full comment on this thread.
(2) R.M.Katz, February 18, 2018 5:19 PM
A touching message about bringing more light into the world
Rabbi Goldberg's sermon was a fitting memorial for Alyssa Aladeff and those other precious children and 2 teachers who protected them. There are no words to say to the parents and family members who are left to mourn except that G-d should comfort them in the way that only He can.
May the light that Rabbi Goldberg spoke of fill our hearts with resolve to be kinder and more giving than we've ever been before. And yes, let's be vigilant to recognize and get immediate mental help for those who profess to do harm to Jews and others.
(1) Neil Lattin, February 18, 2018 2:53 PM
What about guns
Your sermon was very beautiful. But where in this sermon is there a mention of why 19 years olds, or for that matter, older adults, need rapid fire assault guns whose only function is to kill multiple people rapidly. This is not a political issue but a humanitarian one. With each massacre, we become more numbed and we know that more are coming.
Tzipporah Vannorman, February 18, 2018 4:37 PM
Your "sermon"
Mr. Lattin, your call for the Rabbi to include any other comment than what he said in his sermon is inappropriate, though obviously born out of your deep emotion. By your post you are, indeed, making this a political issue. Those of us in the Second Amendment community feel the pain of the loss of all of those who've died in this tragedy as much as you. Your statement that the function of the style of rifle used in this crime is only "to kill multiple people rapidly" is simply not true for responsible, legal owners of these rifles. They are used for recreation, competition, and hunting. It is not appropriate to expect Rabbi Goldberg to wave your flag of righteous indignation in his article. He is comforting those who read his article. Compose your own sermon. No doubt you will have many audience members, though they will be as misguided as you. We have seen that "Gun-Free" zones and other gun-control measures do not work. How much better would it have been if the heroic teacher who shielded students with his body would have had a firearm to fire back upon the murderous shooter? And, I paraphrase..."If one comes to kill you, rise up early and kill them first". Shalom to you, Mr. Lattin.
Tuviah Dovid, February 18, 2018 5:59 PM
Torah calls us to action.
Neil Lattin is right. Firearms proliferation, especially of rapid-fire weapons, is a clear and present danger to everyone in America, and Torah commands us to action more than to words. See Vayikra/Leviticus 19:16, "neither shall you stand idly by the blood of your neighbor."
Anonymous, February 19, 2018 10:54 AM
Yes and do what? Make others stand idly by also?
No!
Protect yourself!
Please see my other comments on this thread!
Tziporah is right! That is the Torah way!
We need to get rid of Gun Free Zones!
Anonymous, February 18, 2018 6:00 PM
If teachers
were armed and trained and the doors were locked we would not have this problem either. Nearly all mass shooting have been in so called "gun free zones" and unlocked buildings with no security.
Joseph Apicella, February 18, 2018 11:30 PM
Weapons of War
AR-15 is a weapon of war. Why they are freely available in the U.S. I don't know. Our government has no interest in stopping it. I am 70. I remember when the police would say in a movie,"You shot six times-your gun is empty-give up". What do they say now,"You shot 150 times-maybe you have no bullets?"