Six Funerals and a Wedding

Rachel Weeps: There is little that Abq Jew can add to the sorrow, anger, and pain we are all feeling this week - as the Jewish World sits shiva.

From our JCRC-NM:

Dear Friends, 

The Jewish Community Relations Coalition of New Mexico is devastated at the news that Hamas has killed more than six hostages, among them the American Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l, whose story we have come to know so well through the tireless advocacy of his parents Rachel and Jon.

We mourn the loss of these innocents, Hersh, Eden Yerushalmi z”l, Carmel Gat z”l, Almog Sarusi z”l, Alex Lubnov z”l, and Ori Danino z”l.

Our hearts are with their families and loved ones, may they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. We pray that the remaining hostages will soon be returned home safely.

Am Yisrael Chai,

Jane Wishner and Alonet Zarum Zandan - Co- Chairs

The story continues.

As Abq Jew wrote last October - 

There is a story in the Talmud of two processions – a wedding procession and a funeral procession – that meet at an intersection too narrow to allow both to pass. One of the processions will need to step aside to allow the other to progress; but which one should go first? 

The rabbis concluded that the wedding procession should get the right of way. Why? Because hope and optimism about the future (as represented by the bride and groom) should always take precedence over the past. We are a people who believe in the future – even in the face of sadness.

Avi Mayer, the former Editor-in-Chiel of The Jerusalem Post, wrote on X:

In the Jewish tradition, it is customary not to postpone a wedding, even during a period of mourning.

Our belief in life precedes even our deep pain over those who are no longer with us.

And so I find myself at a wedding this evening here in Jerusalem.

Life always comes first.

וְיֵשׁ־תִּקְוָ֥ה לְאַחֲרִיתֵ֖ךְ נְאֻם־ה״ וְשָׁ֥בוּ בָנִ֖ים לִגְבוּלָֽם׃