Post-Tragedy Thoughts

May the memory of the victims be for a blessing, and may their blood be avenged:

Yochai Lipshitz, 18
Yonatan Yitzchak Eldar, 16
Yonadav Haim Hirschfeld, 19
Neria Cohen, 15
Roie Rote, 18
Segev Peniel Avichayil, 15
Avraham David Moses, 16
Doron Mehereta, 26

Lehavdil Bain Hayim LeHayim, may those who were wounded have a Refu'ah Shelaima. Here's a list taken from Rafi's blog:

Naftali ben Gila
Yonatan ben Avital
Shimon ben Tirza
Nadav ben Hadas
Reuven ben Naomi
Elchanan by Zehava

----------------

Hashem pulled a "Venahafoch Hu" on us yesterday.

We were supposed to celebrate Rosh Hodesh Adar - instead, the Gazans celebrate the death and maiming of Jewish innocent life.

Arutz Sheva:

One of the youth who learns at the yeshiva pointed out the emotional difficulty the students face Friday, when special prayers of thanks [Hallel] to the Almighty are recited in honor of the new month.

Nevertheless, we know that הצור תמים פעלו - all that Hashem does is perfect, and not always in our grasp of understanding. We must mourn, but not question G-d's ways. The laughing Gazans will not have the last laugh, I'll tell you that. So, yes, we do say Hallel for the new month. We praise Hashem for giving us life in this new month so we can serve Him. We believe the new month will bring new hope for better things to come. We hope that the Venahafoch Hu that we just experienced will again be turned around - to make Adar a month of joy, as it should be. We hope that the new month will bring an end to Yagon Va'anaha - and bring with it Orah VeSimha VeSasson Vikar, with the coming of Mashiah Tzidkeinu, Bimhera Veyameinu, Amen.