delray beach orthodox rabbi

                                             
                                                                                            B"H
Tears, tears and more tears
 

Words often fail to express what tears express instinctively. Salty bitter tears flowed from my eyes hearing stories of soldier after soldier paying the ultimate price and their dedication to the people of Israel. Fully cognizant of the perils awaiting them,  they nevertheless volunteered to serve. Nineteen- and twenty-year-old young men and women making decisions that I couldn’t fathom having to make. I hear stories and can’t help but crying but think of the tears of mothers and fathers who bury their adult babies.
 
I ask myself, what can I do, fully cognizant that nothing I can do will bring them back. At Har Herzl we visited the graves of soldiers who were killed since October 7th. Among the far too many graves we visited was the grave of a young man Eitan Dishon whose gravestone is pictured above. His mother spoke to us about his inner beauty and dedication and her words caused an emotional downpour. The small black flower with a red petal symbolizes that his organs were donated. (Yes, according to Jewish law organs may be donated)
 
 
So what can I do? What little sacrifice can I offer the Jewish people? When I was ten years old I was walking with my mother ob’m and I found $10 on the street. I picked up the $10 bill and mother said to me “it’s all yours”. I smiled from ear to ear until my mother added a minor caveat. She told me “And only you can decide to which charity it be given”. My smile immediately faded. I don’t remember which charity received my major contribution, but I do know that I learned a lesson that has remained with me for six decades.
 
Yesterday, we were asked on a visit to Tel Hashomer, a rehab facility run by the Sheba Medical Center to help assist the soldiers. We met many soldiers injured during the Gaza campaign and listened to Sheri stories. Many had lost limbs and had to relearn how to cope with life. But besides the physical issues everyone is traumatized witnessing the aftermath of October 7th. Many visualized firsthand the tragedy of October 7 and others lost close friends and members of their units in Gaza.
 
They were visibly shaken, and I asked how we could help. One said he needed a laptop and another needed a new phone. I didn’t even ask how much, I said to myself, that is the least I can do. To tell the truth, I wouldn’t have bought myself that cell home and it was the most expensive, but I felt so good buying it for the soldier. He told me he is laden with anxiety as his job was transporting the dead soldiers from Gaza. And furthermore, he has two sons still serving in Gaza. Could any price I paid be too high? I then recalled the lesson my mother taught me many years ago and realized how important a lesson it was.
 
My only prayer is that today's tears of sadness will become tomorrow's tears of joy.
 
Rabbi Jack Engel