Dear Friends,
The cruel and monstrous murders of Shiri Bibas and her sweet boys, Kfir and Ariel, have shaken us all to the core. The Jewish people and all good people worldwide weep in anguish, devastated beyond words. Tears flow, our hearts ache, and we are overcome with unbearable pain.
The evil is incomprehensible.
The indifference and the silence of the world around us is so so loud.
And the painful exile and suffering of Jews continues in our generation
Finding the right words feels impossible, but on a heartbreaking day like yesterday, and after 15 months of such pain, we must remind ourselves that, thank God, we stand with life and goodness, on the right side of history. We are the ones whose young people risk their lives to protect the lives of children. We are the ones who feel the pain of the Bibas children as if they were our own family.
In our Torah portion, Mishpatim, we are taught how to live as a moral Jew. How to properly treat your employees, how to be a responsible caretaker of your animals, the importance of not hurting another human being and what our obligations are if we do, how to have a judicial system that is just and impartial, the vitality of being kind to a stranger, the commandment to refrain from creating public hazards, prohibitions against bribery and lying, the Mitzvah to care for an orphan and widow, and the prime Jewish idea of giving to the poor and vulnerable, so they are not left destitute, hungry or homeless.
This is Judaism and this is who Jews are.
We love.
We care.
We empathize.
We do good.
Let's honor their holy and precious souls as they are brought to burial, and as difficult as it seems, let's try to channel today's emotions into actions. Action in confronting our enemies, action in improving ourselves, strengthening our unity, increasing in mitzvot, and reciting prayers and Psalms in their loving memory.
Let's join together this Shabbat at the Chabad of Naples Mishpacha to honor their precious souls.
Shiri, Ariel and Kfir you will never be forgotten. Your red flaming fire and light will continue on and in the strongest of ways.
We will be prouder Jews
We will be stronger Jews
We will ensure your flame lives on through more Torah, through more Mitzvot, and through the strength of the lion of JUDAH.
This is your name, sweet Ariel and Kfir - both mean lion. You will bring out our lion and strength, and your death will not be in vain.
We are all Bibas.
May the memory of Shiri Bas Yosef, Ariel Ben Yarden, Kfir Ben Yarden and Oded Ben Bilhah remind us how blessed we are to be part of Am Hanetzach, the eternal nation.
We pray that God will finally wipe away all tears, heal the broken hearts, and bring true comfort to us all.
With broken hearts and much love.
Rabbi Fishel & Ettie Zaklos