Rabbi Howard Morrison

There are two forms of bereavement in Judaism, personal and national.

When confronting personal loss, our tradition progresses from the severity of restrictions toward a gradual return to the normalcy of daily life, thus the progression from funeral to shiva, shloshim and the year.

Currently, the Jewish calendar has us undergoing three weeks of national bereavement from the 17th of Tammuz, last Tuesday, through Tisha B'Av. The restrictions are the opposite or mirror image of those from personal bereavement. After a minor Fast, restrictions progress gradually until the last nine days and the major Fast of Tisha B'Av itself.

Last Wednesday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed American leaders. In the audience, he had invited Israelis representing different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Israel is certainly a multi- ethnic and cultural democratic country.

Tragically, this past weekend, twelve Israeli Druze CHILDREN lost their lives while playing on a soccer field in Northern Israel, from a Hezbollah launched missile.

Our national bereavement this year is for all of Israel, Jews and non-Jews who have made the ultimate sacrifice over the last ten months specifically and throughout our history more generally.

This year, the national grief of Summer does not seem to progress from minor to major notwithstanding the evolution of ritual practices during these three weeks. Our grief, anger, and loss are overwhelming.

We extend condolences to all who have suffered horrific devastation.

Yhi Zichram Baruch - May the memories of the fallen be a blessing.

Rabbi Howard Morrison