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The months of Adar traditionally are months of increased joy. We
go almost to extremes on the festive days of Purim. Yeshiva boys
consider it a faithful mitzvah to drink liquors excessively in celebration
of Purim. Yet in this same month we have a fast day preceding the
joyous holiday. In fact, historically, in the days preceding Purim,
Jews in the 127 countries of the Persian empire were in mortal danger
of destruction. But faith in the Almighty, fasting, and praying
produced the miracle.
We have had some shocking experiences in the past week. In the month
of February, with excellent Shin Bet information and security forces,
we were able to destroy and/or capture 43 pairs of suicide bombers
in addition to the capture of several top leaders in Hamas and in
Islamic Jihad terror organizations.
We had over 100 tanks in the Gaza area destroying arms factories
and the homes of suicide bombers. We had recommended this punishment
at the very start of the intifada over 30 months ago. It is only
after the 9/11 tragedy that we had a free hand to proceed with force.
Additional security measures were taken, including the positioning
of our sharp-shooter snipers in key positions, with much telling
success. Electrically charged fences were installed in critical
areas, with special armed guards on duty around the clock.
Our operations were mostly at night or very early in the morning.
Our forces were equipped with the latest night light equipment and
facilities and were highly successful in catching or killing terror
leaders and planners.
With all these successful measures and continuing operations against
terror, nevertheless we had two terrible shocks. Both originated
in Hebron.
Two terrorists arrived in Haifa, apparently after being in Israel
proper for over three days. Israeli Arabs had apparently housed
them, transported them to Haifa, and placed them at a bus area where
many students would board. The sorrowful result was 16 dead and
85 wounded.
A few days later on Friday night as Rabbi Elhanan Horowitz and his
wife, Dina, sat at their Shabbat meal, two terrorists shot and killed
both.
They wounded three others in the Kiryat Arba city adjoining Hebron
before being killed by an IDF patrol. Later in the night the patrol
killed another pair of suicide bombers, one exploding with his suicide
belt. Two groups, the one in Haifa and the one in Kiryat Arba, were
of the same hamulah. The mother of the Haifa terrorists announced
that she was proud of her sons. Their houses were destroyed promptly.
We had recommended that if the family had assisted, they should
be arrested and tried. If not, they should be banished.
We were shocked by these murders, both in Haifa and in Kiryat Arba.
The leader of Labor, former Mayor of Haifa Amram Mitzna, visited
the area in Haifa and declared that Israel is at fault. His conclusion
was that Israel should close settlements and negotiate a peace with
anyone including Arafat. Mitzna has much to learn, including that
peace-making must have a partner, not one whose aim is to destroy
us. This reaction disturbed us no end. Two disastrous election losses
by Labor have apparently made no impression upon Mitzna or upon
his followers. Our sorrow extended to the Horowitz murders.
There was an electric fence around Kiryat Arba. The killers simply
cut the fence. It was a dark night, and apparently they had night
light equipment. More and more terrorists are now equipped for night
attacks.
We are acquaintances of the Horowitz family for many years in Chicago
and in Israel. The father was head of the Beth Medrash Latorah in
Jerusalem for many years, and his son Eli was a Rosh Yeshiva in
the Shavei Hebron Yeshiva for some 18 years. He was a brilliant
teacher and a tzadik example to all and so outstanding was his wife
Dina. Very great is our loss.
A few days later we had occasion to participate in a memorial “tish”
of the Bayoner Rebbe for his grandfather the Bayoner Rebbe Friedman,
whom we knew years ago and whom we hosted on his trips to the Chicago
area. He was a great tzadik who inspired faith in the Almighty with
his warm, optimistic attitude under any and all circumstances.
This “tish” was held in the huge Tiferet Yisrael Rhizin
Synagogue in Jerusalem. Some 2,000 were in attendance and heard
encouraging messages of the Zaidie hakadosh and of his equally warm
and optimistic grandson, followed by traditional chanting of appropriate
Chassidic nigunim. All were served a light gefilte fish supper,
and the spirit was uplifting. After the sorrows of the previous
week, this tish gave us an inspiration and greater faith in the
Almighty for the crucial days ahead.
Updated 3/19/03
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