The San Bernardino Massacre And Prayer

Very well articulated, and well analyzed Rabbi Blech. I can understand the anxiety in some of the responses to the article. However, we should not be blind to the reality and relevance of the topic regarding how the San Bernardino incident was reported by the Daily News. It was a true shame how they worded, and completely misleading, denoting that we should not pray to the Almighty because it wouldn't work. Shame on them. Aside from this, we can not be confused by comparing the Sandy Hook school massacre with the San Bernardino terror attack. Sandy Hook was committed by a mentally ill individual who had easy access to fire weapons provided by his own mother, without any intention on her part, to have her son killing anyone. Perhaps this could be perceived more as negligence from the mother, than the mental illness of the killer. The San Bernardino terror attack, on the other hand, was a very well thought, very well planned act of terror by Moslem terrorists. The article written by Rabbi Blech, to me was more about how the press, an entity with so much prestige and influence, was so careless and disrespectful in stating that "God Isn't Fixing This", in regard to the murder of 14 innocent people. Additionally, I don't believe that everyone should have gun, but at the same time, creating more gun laws and gun restriction will not make any difference if we look back at what happened with the Boston marathon. Those terrorists in Boston didn't need gun, but other tools to make the bombs that they used to kill and injure the innocents. Israel would be the best example, how many innocents jews have been killed by terrorists driving their cars right onto people standing at bus and train stations; or families driving on roads are suddenly ambushed by terrorists with knives. Many into synagogues with meat cleaver who killed the men praying. Obviously, the journalist and Daily News simply used the San Bernardino murder and God as a tools for political vendetta.

I wanted to make a quick correction: I erroneously noted that this was the Post, and not the Daily News. Apologies! If this can be corrected by Aish, please feel free to do so!

As others have stated, I do think this was misunderstood. The Post has a way of turning tragedy into headlines.
I grew up Conservative; my grandparents were Orthodox. I work in the Orthodox community. I have a strong connection to Judaism and G-d because I've been through some of the worst experiences anyone could ever fathom. Others lose faith when tragedy strikes; mine got stronger. I'm in a unique position to have a dialogue about this. Read below.

I co-founded WAVE: Women Against the Violence Epidemic last year with two close friends who are not only survivors of domestic violence, but also of gun violence (GV) at the hands of those who were supposed to love them. I, thank G-d, was not a GV victim but did survive over 20 years of virtually every type of violence imaginable, at the hands of my former husband.

If you talk to those who have been in these shoes, Rabbi, and really get them to open up to you, you will see how many times we've lobbied government officials. How many times we've sent petitions; spoken to news outlets; begged and pleaded with police to see what was happening.

Yet nothing did. There have been close to 150 school shootings since Newtown, and almost 1100 overall. We're tired of hearing platitudes after first graders are gunned down in a place where they should be safe. We're tired of our children practicing emergency drills. We're tired of hearing about change and then having those who should protect us, back down because they're caving to keeping their jobs, rather than doing the right thing.

I guess the Post is hearing us. They're some of the few who really are.

I ask that you read this by my friend Erica, whose mother was Dawn Lafferty, the Principal of Sandy Hook School and a true hero:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erica-lafferty/december-9-the-last-day-i_b_6294550.html

Then tell me the Post was wrong.

All the Best,
Jennifer Tetefsky

The "right thing" is often a matter of perspective and personal opinion. In cases of gun violence, the right thing involves a lot more than just more gun control. Unfortunately, those who advocate the loudest for it don't ever talk about anything else. Stricter gun laws alone won't solve anything.

The headline about "G-d can't fix this" reminded of the maiden voyage of the Titanic: A huge newspaper headline proclaimed on the morning of its launching: "Even G_d Can't Sink This" . And Hashem answered with a thin sliver of ice. No one should know from such things. But to flaunt Heaven -

First quote in the article, "“Our prayers are with the victims, their families, and the first responders in San Bernardino who willingly go into harm’s way to save others,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) tweeted."
Look I pray 3 times on weekdays, 4 when there is Musaf (additional offering that used to be in the Temple) and 5 times on Yom Kippur which has Neilah.
This was not an anti-prayer piece.
It was a criticism of politicians doing nothing except for praying for the victims, etc. Of course we are for such prayers but these prayers are not directed to G-d to assist us in stopping these senseless murders!!!

The attempt to get attention was obvious. But even if their only intention was to bring attention to the politicians...why did they not show president Obama, who said the same thing? Because the evil republicans should have enacted stricter gun control? California ALREADY has one of the strictest set of gun control legislation and It Did Not Work! Nor will it. The good guys follow laws. The bad guys get guns. Why don't people get this?
Besides, the prayers were after the fact, prayers of comfort. As for "common sense gun laws," maybe it's time (1) for individuals to consider carrying protection and (2) for communities to consider banning "gun free zones,"
Interesting historical perspective:
Nazi Germany's had the best gun control laws, and gun registration laws. For peace. For safety! And one fine day, the Jews of Germany found out that the nazis were knocking at their doors and confiscating their guns. Soon after came Kristallnacht!
Instead of "putting your faith" in the government which wants to control law abiding citizens and their guns, why not put your faith in haShem who told us "if someone comes to kill you, be prepared, if necessary, to protect YOURSELF and kill him!"

Prayer is one great Tool HaShem has given to humanity to connect with Him! HaKadosh Baruh Hu!

Rabbi, I believe you have misunderstood the intent of this headline. What the newspaper is trying to do is shun those politicians in positions of power who merely "offer their prayers"; like what does that even mean? They seem to be avoiding making decisions and eliminating ISIS by emptily stating that they offer prayers. The thing about prayer is that it is deeply personal, and something that of course we all need to be doing a lot of right now in the face of such evil. Of course G-d is part of the picture. But when you have people in positions of power merely offering thoughts and prayers, (and who's to say they are ACTUALLY praying), it seems like a slap in the face and insufficient action. I think as Jews (or people of faith in general), we need to stop getting so defensive before we truly understand things. Of course the headline "G-d isn't fixing this" was intended to turn heads; it was meant to grab our attention and that is why they used such a controversial line. But their main focus is on pushing politicians and world leaders to do more, because after all, as much as prayer can help, if we don't do what is in our power to help, why should G-d?

When I face a difficult situation or need God's help, first I pray then I do something about it. If we lived in a perfect world we wouldn't have to protect ourselves. It's evident there are evil men and we and our families need protection. Would stricter gun laws have prevented those evil men from killing all those people? No, I don't believe that for a moment! Would those criticizers have jumped in to protect them? No again! I believe in God and I own a gun so does that make me a menace?

I did not read the original article Rabbi. I respectfully believe the Great One wails when one of His flock is murdered. I also believe He personally retrieves them. I believe they are instantly with Him when they breathe their last breath. The 23 Psalm, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, ... .He leads me on the path of righteousness for His names sake.. has long been my favorite. Specifically when I am entering a battle for Justice or against evil IN HIS NAME. Prayer IS powerful. I am Victorious. Always. In ALL WAYS. The 23 Psalm is my way for asking His help. If I pray why worry; if I worry why pray? Other commenters pointedly stated if a man needs a loan, saying you will pray for him is a terrible thing to say. Also inappropriate. Cold and callous towards his desperation. I promised at the age of 3 that I would stop a Holocaust if necessary so that it would never happen again. He ended our conversation by stating "The Holocaust never ended!". I so did not want Him to he right. He WAS right. But I was 3, I never stopped trying because I VOWED to Him. Yea though I walk through the Valley of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me... I believe. When it is done and I succeed IN HIS NAME I receive Chochma and I am in 8th heaven. In San Bernardino the shooters purchased thousands of rounds of ammunition. That should have triggered a response from Homeland, The Police, Government. Evil flourishes when good men (and women) turn their heads and do nothing! How could they miss this? Bless the Moslem Florida students who handed out candy with the Quran verse my inter....taking the life of an innocent is like killing all humanity...saving the life of someone is like saving all humanity. My paraphrase. It isn't the Moslem Religion. This male shooter went to Saudi Arabia to work with the woman he married. What EVIL!

A Taste of Islam on you tube. Just over half hour but a full and scientific analysis of the two parts of the Quran. Islam has a political side started by "the prophet" himself which has been responsible for approximately a quarter of a Billion deaths of infidels. He presided over the beheadings of all male members of a Jewish town with which he had made a treaty (when his army was weak) and with which he broke the treaty (when his army got stronger.) beware Takkiya!

It is more about a death culture than the despicable alterations CHANGED in the Religion. Adherents of Islam LOVE to point a finger at every other religion and claim Islam is not altered. They could not wait to alter Islam several times after the Prophet Mohammad's death. His wife held firm with what the Prophet taught but when she died, Islam then became fragmented into several WARRING factions. Indeed it WAS changed! Then again by the Saudi Prince's upon the first realized income from the oil revenue. This "Religion" then reflected the Death Culture which is uniquely ARABIC. Please note also the generosity of the Saudi Sheikhdom when AMERICA got their oil rigs up and running prior to WW1. The Saudis gratuitous intent backfired . They permitted Archeologists to enter Saudi Arabia to find out more of their History, and unearth artifacts. One Archeologist discovered in a cave what may be the first written Islamic Quran interpreted from a Torah laying right next to it. It dated back to the time of Mohammad. Saudis were so infuriated they kicked everyone out and thus closed the borders to Christians. Jews were added to the list of exiles when Israel won it's Independence. Today there are adherent's to Islamic teachings who DO NOT KNOW History including Religious. Takkia is the Bedouin way. Most do not know that they Infiltrate a populous and when their numbers grow they indeed war against the original welcoming Nation populous slaughtering from within forcing the tolerant welcomers to pay a protection tax. They will be slaughtered anyway REGARDLESS. Please note: The Nation is claimed the moment their little feet touch the soil. The Parrots in Washington simply do not care. I have studied Islam since the age of 11. I studied ALL Religions though I am a Jew. Thank you Israel for pointing out the obvious. One of the unrecognized results of the Holocaust is the dying off of both European Population but also American. Karma!

Isaiah 45 : 7 I form the light, and create darkness : I make peace, and create evil : I the LORD do all these things. In most situations, mankind would never think about worshipping a god who claims to create evil, but this god is still worshipped. I've spent hours praying for understanding about this direct, in context quote, from this lord. Before anyone says, "it's symbolic", or "it pertains to something in that chapter", please save it. It is a direct quote, and in context.

I believe this quote means exactly what it states. However Judaism IS the light. Be a light unto all Nations! It is a harmful interpretation to utilize this quote as a Rabbi stated that Hashem created the Holocaust. I vehemently OPPOSE such an interpretation! The Creation of darkness is the work of the Great One to give His chosen Ones the "opportunity" to BRING light, Justice, ACTION against the darkness. Torah IS ACTION.

... that they take to heart the comments of IrisB (hypocritical prayer is worthless), Alan S. (prayer without action is devoid of meaning) and SKT (the Daily News sought to demand more than empty prayers and platitudes from political officeholders and others in positions of authority). Since when in Judaism is prayer supposed to be a substitute for action? According to Rashi and other commentators, Amalek attacked because the Israelites had quarreled with Moses and, by extension, disregarded Gd's presence. In other words, even the prayers of Moses at Refidim would have been meaningless had not the Israelites first taken the field against Amalek.

This is a wonderful article! The liberal news media will push their agenda even if it means mocking God. Guns don't kill people anymore than cars do. If we take away decent people's guns, then only bad people will have guns and we will have no defense!
God will have the last Word in this world and gun control will not have the slightest impact. Prayer is our connection to God and our only hope in this lost world!

Alan S. said it quite well. Prayers are offered by the right-wing politicians who refuse to do anything to control guns in this country, instead they pray. Their prayers, as well as everyone else's, are just a waste of time. The only thing that is going to fix anything is if people behave differently. God has nothing to do with anything. And that is if you believe in God in the first place!

Thank you for this wonderful article that refutes the on-going blasphemy of the media. God is good and because of that He is also just! This means that He will have the last word and bring justice to those who are mocked for having faith and gratitude in all things! We thank God that this darkness is being exposed so many see the light and the Truth!

I didn't read it that way, Rabbi BB. I read it as the Daily News, thinking this was just another "mass shooting", which is always exacerbated by the sheer firepower of the shooters, calling Republican senators cowardly for not strengthening gun laws. Presumably, the reason they don't pass stiff gun laws is cowardliness - I guess fear of the NRA and/or voter backlash - rather than a principled belief in a Right To Bear Arms for free citizens.
Of course, this "mass shooting" was coincidentally perpetrated by young Moslems (who woulda thunk?!), in a state of the Union that has incredibly stiff gun laws. So, the likelihood of stiffer gun laws stopping these pipe-bomb building, IS-supporting fanatics is remote at best.
And of course, a concealed firearm by one of the people at that party could possibly have prevented this couple's emptying their magazines into the crowd, then calmly reloading and continuing their butchery unchallenged.
I'm not a fan of this type of reflexive reaction, before the facts are in, to push an agenda that is very questionable, rather than simply reporting the news as they are charged to do. Buy the Post or Newsday. In a pinch, the NYT.
In the meantime, I'll be praying for the victims of SF & TM, and praying that all guns will be beaten into plowshares as lions lay down with lambs.

To say that we have to convince G-d of anything, smacks of apikorsis. At akeidas Yitschok, it is clear that G-d did not need to be convinced of anything. Avraham as well as his future generations,needed that experience to look back on and learn from. G-d needed no convincing of where Avraham was holding. So to in present times,(and all times) G-d knows all and needs no convincing of anything. In regards to using prayer to convince G-d of any thing, G-d knows what we need and where we are coming from even before we do. He needs no convincing

I have a different interpretation of the Daily News cover. I found it to be a strong rebuke to those, i.e.certain politicians that only offer platitudes about "prayers to G-d" instead of offering concrete ways to fix the problem within their own provenance, i.e., professional responsibility.
The headline writer, editorial writer and publisher are very much in favor of prayers to G-d, but as Rabbi Blech illustrates, this does not mean that our we can not act. To paraphrase a well known Christian theme, prayer as if everything depends on god, but act as if everything depends on you.

As my devout grandmother of blessed memory used to say, G-d helps those who help themselves.

I think this article misses the point. It's not that prayer can't help, it's just that it's not the only thing to help. The fact that our politicians refuse to pass common sense laws to control guns in this country makes people angry. G-d helps those that help themselves, and our politicians are doing nothing to help a country where mass shootings have become commonplace, and thousands of people die from gun related deaths every year. This makes people angry, because because politicians should do more than pray- they should enact public policies that protect our citizens.

That already hadn't been passed in California ALREADY.
Perhaps the common sense law would be
(1) the security guard should have a gun!
(2) stop making fun free zones that assure bad guys that any guns besides theirs will not be there.
The Torah says "when one comes to you to kill you, get up early and kill him..."
How can you do that if you are in a gun free zone?

Didn't some survivors send text messages requesting prayers?