Monday, May 2, 2011

Upon The Death of an Enemy

 Rejoice Not:  Rabbi Menachem Creditor has the following to say about last night's news, received on the eve of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day:
How do we respond when the architect of enormous evil is brought to justice?  What does it mean for us, as Jews, and as Americans, that Osama Bin Laden has been killed? . . .
I'm not sure what I mean right now.  I'm relieved that an evil has been eliminated from the world.  I'm mourning our lost Six Million. . . .
We do not rejoice at the death of our enemy.  The implementation of justice is not a joyful celebration . . .
May America know a measure of comfort after these almost 10 years, and may we redouble our efforts to rebuild our Nation in a more unified way, knowing that this incredible pain has been felt by members of every political persuasion . . .
May the Jewish People bear testimony to the attempted Destruction of our People by redoubling our commitment to building and supporting our Jewish communities, knowing that every moment of Jewish Living is the ultimate legacy of those who died Al Kiddush haShem, for the Sanctification of God's Name . . .

Rabbi Creditor also brings the Midrash of G-d admonishing the angels' singing as the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea: "How can you sing when My creatures are dying?" 

Abq Jew has the same mixed emotions as Rabbi Creditor and many others. It is not right to rejoice at the death of any of G-d's creatures.  And one must bear in mind the words of Winston Churchill: "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning."

Yet Abq Jew slept better last night than he has in almost 10 years.

1 comment:

Jessica said...

I thought of that very quote of the admonishment of the Israelites as they watched Pharaoh's army engulfed by the Red Sea(also used in my Passover Haggadah) when I saw the celebrations on TV. Definitely mixed emotions here.