It was the Rebbe's 20th Yahrtzeit, but all I could think of is the horrible news, which has shattering the hearts of World Jewry. The three kidnapped teens were found dead, murdered.
So I decided to open myself up to all the Rebbe has taught us in how to deal with inexplicable atrocities and suffering.
The Torah tells us that upon the death of two of his children, Aharon, brother of Moses, remained silent. I sat in silence, trying to hear that teaching.
I was also reminded of the response given by Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor, speaker and author, when he was asked, "Where was G-d by the Holocaust?" Elie answered, "Don't ask me where G-d was by the Holocaust, ask me where man was by the Holocaust!"
Suddenly, the fundamental teaching of dealing with atrocities and suffering became clear to me. The Torah paradigms is the polar opposite of the paradigm used in politics, expressed by writers, and felt by many.
The Rebbe teaches us to accept the judgment of G-d, and to question the acts of man. The ugliness of people with an agenda, and the fragility of people refusing to expect human accountability, has us justify the evil acts of man, and then, with anger and resentment, to question G-d.
"Should the three students have been studying in the West Bank? How much suffering the oppressed people of occupied West Bank endure? We need to feel and understand the people who do acts of terror! Israel needs to look away in order to have peace..."
These are but a few of the ugly ways the terror acts of man are justified, rather, than questioned and held accountable for.
First Aharon the High Priest remained silent as he stood before G-d. However, thereafter, the Torah enforced laws creating expectations and accountability for a Kohain entering the Holy Temple intoxicated and for performing unsanctioned service in the Holy Temple. Security was set up, with Levite guards set around the Holy Temple, not allowing those forbidden to enter.
Both of these Jewish responses is how we honor and sanctify the deaths of the three young Kedoishim, murdered for no other reason than that they are our Jewish brothers.
To stand in silence before G-d at their funeral in acceptance of G-d's inexplicable judgment, and then to stand up and ask, "Where was man when this atrocity took place?!"
Acting swiftly in creating accountability for those who committed the crime and for those who continue to stand silently, and even endorsing, these crimes.
We must also question ourselves with, "Where was man?" in setting untouchable boundaries of security, untouchable by the terrorists, as well as untouchable by politics!
This is the Jewish way of faith. Accept G-d and question man. For ultimately Judaism hides not behind G-d, rather, it demands of man. When man accepts accountability, G-d provides the means. For G-d is with us in every human atrocity and asks, "Where was man?"