Shiri, Ariel, Kfir. May their memories be for a blessing

During the past few days, Israelis, Jews throughout the world and all who support them, have been plunged into indescribable depths of mourning as the deaths of Shiri Bibas and her small children Ariel and Kfir are confirmed, the forensics indicating that they were murdered in captivity as hostages.

Adding to the trauma, their captors proudly paraded their black coffins in a hideous piece of political theatre, and the return of the remains of Shiri was delayed after it was discovered that the original body returned was not in fact hers. 

The body of a fourth hostage has also been returned, Oded Lifshitz, a journalist and peace activist. 

These developments are too painful for words. We have prayed for so long and so full-heartedly and never given up hope that they would make it home alive. The blow is hard, knocking the wind from our sails. But not for long.

The miraculous thing about prayer is that it speaks all languages of human emotion, it is an all-weather power-cell and has a way of ‘holding’ us in any situation. Prayer is also a collective force; so, even on those days when I have no strength or faith to pray, the prayer of the community lifts me and carries me along. Then, on another day, I can do that lifting and carrying for others who may be struggling. 

Together, we call on that mysterious strength now, as we prayerfully give voice to our distress, each in his/her unique way. We unleash that grace now as we hold Shiri’s husband, Yarden Bibas, in our firm embrace. We recommit to prayer so as to unite with Oded’s family in their sorrow, and to keep alive his dreams for peace.

The photo above pictures the Bibas children in all their vitality and innocence, at home in Shiri's arms – Let’s harbour that image in our hearts as we pray.

We can lean on the psalmist who reassures us: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Ps 34:18).

We can light an orange candle to honor the lives of Ariel and Kfir (Orange was the colour adopted by advocates for the Bibas children who were both redheads).

And we can grieve with the Jewish community and with Israelis in myriad expressions that reflect the diversity of Jewish and Israeli life, such as this post at Chabad.org - Fragmented Thoughts of a Broken Heart - which reminds us: "The answer to evil and darkness is not inaction and depression. It must be action." We confront evil by doing good.

And, even as we shed tears of grief, we ALSO bravely ride the rollercoaster that allows us to thank and praise G-d for the release of six more living hostages: Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert and Eliya Cohen (505 days in captivity) and Avera Mengistu and Hisham Al-Sayed (a decade in captivity). How grateful we are that they are alive and home again! We pray for their return to full health, physically and psychologically, and for their families and communities who have received them back in their familial embrace.

Let us continue to pray for the release of ALL the hostages in Gaza, and that this nightmare of conflict, terror and war may soon be resolved, bringing peace and healing to all who are suffering. Our prayer is for the human will to act for peace (and not merely ‘wish’ for peace), for constructive steps forward (not cliches).

Thank you for persisting as part of this prayer circle at this difficult time.