By Rabbi Danny Cohen for COLlive
Not again…
My thoughts and attention minutes after we heard about the attack were turned to my children.
“Who was he? What does he look like?”
“Did we get him today for Mivtza Lulav? Did he eat by our Sukkah this Yomtov?”
“Let’s make a sign tomorrow that the bracha made on the lulav will be for his merit?”
These were some of the reactions and ideas that Shneor (8), Yossi (11) and Shai (13) exchanged while we drove back home today from visiting with friends in a hilltop nearby.
Turns out that the bochurim and my children have met Gavriel Kobi, the soldier who was shot dead on Sunday while stationed at the Tut Atarek Junction, across of the Ma’aras HaMachpela.
Kobi HY”D and another infantryman were positioned near the pharmacy intersection and Beit Hamachpela, defending the road used by Jewish residents of the quarter in Chevron, according to the Jerusalem Post.
It was not easy putting my children to sleep tonight.
Most of our children were born and raised in Chevron. We have enjoyed many years of relative quiet in Chevron that was shattered in a moment.
To be frank, it is frustrating to be a combat soldier nowadays when you are pelted with bottles and rocks and ordered to run away and hide so that, G-d forbid, the peace talks will not be interfered with…
Is there any wonder how the terrorists dare and shoot when the scenes on the street are of the poor soldiers running for cover so they will not stand trial?
But let me tell you what I told my children: Our enemies are fools. If they would only learn a bit of the Jewish history in Chevron, they would realize that after every attack the community was strengthened in size and spirit.
We will continue doing mivtzoim this Sukkos in memory of Gavriel Kobi, the soldier who shook the lulav before he was killed…
For those of you in Israel, come join us for the hakafot shniyos in the Ulam Yitzchak in Ma’aras HaMachpela this Thursday night, from 9pm to midnight. Our dancing and singing will send a clear message to the ones surrounding us that “Am Yisroel Chai!”
so great to see the thousands of jews not deterred by terror aimed at keeping us away
so sad… yet at the same time is insperational that these children were able to shake lulav and esrog with him one last time
Am yisrael chai!!! The place was packed!!!
Danny Cohen is a gem of a person.
Bdh and so inspiring!!
is a true hero , we all owe him our thanks to taking charge in chevron!!
G-d bless and keep our soldier safe. G-d bless Danny Cohen who truly is a great Jew and we all have to strive to be like him
Barbara Ginsberg
Right before the second soldier was shot. We heard the stun gunfire directed at the Arabs but didnt see anything. Chevron was so wonderful yesterday, many Chabadniks and thousands of others. Davenning at Marat Hamachpela and then hearing the news. The soldiers were full of the Yom Tov spirit. Its tragic.
G-D bless the IDF and Israel.
bring this soldier back in a guf with biyas hamoshiach NOW!!!
It was close to 100 degrees this Yom Kippur. The soldiers on duty were being pelted with stones and chasing Arab youth. Yet, almost every single one of them fasted. These aren’t guys who spent decades in a yeshiva. Simple faith and tremendous courage! Yashar koach to Danny and his crew for being mechazek them. May they all be safe and may our land be secure.
Where is Mendy Rapoport????
I’m always amazed at naysayers that not only can’t seem to find a positive word to say about anything but are so smug sounding when they put forth their negative spin about everything.Why would anyone ever seek the company of such negativity?
we miss you dovid labe
to #4 instead fill the buildings with more Yidden that will make it safe for sure
In retaliation, the Israeli govermnent should raze those surrounding deserted buildings/ old store fronts to the ground and save future yidden! I was just standing on that corner and those arab beasts are crazy.
‘Medinat Chelm’
Nuff said.
Wow G-D bless Rabbi Cohen… Its time for the rest of Chabad to stop being so Politically Correct and to fully stand with the brave hero’s of Chevron…
g-d bless givati and the idf