On Sunday morning, we were deeply disturbed by news of the arrest of six Israeli Jews in connection with the brutal murder of 16 year old, Muhammad Abu Khdeir. Israeli leaders, both political and spiritual, along with major Jewish organizations, both religious and secular, have condemned this vicious act in no uncertain terms (below please find statements issued by Modern Orthodox rabbinic organizations in Israel and America).

The weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av must turn our hearts towards greater introspection. At this time, I ask each of us to use the weeks between the Fast of Tammuz (July 15) and Tisha B’Av (Aug. 5), and certainly this week as well, to deepen our sense of Teshuvah – a full return to each other and a full return to Torah, Mitzvot, and the presence of G-d. Let us not remain numb to these events but use them to channel, cultivate, deepen, and grow all that is holy and good through prayer, Tzedakah, and good deeds. Specifically, I ask that we each consider adding to the times we pray each day (Shacharit is at 6:30 am, Mincha and Maariv services are at 6:45 pm), that we each increase our level of Tzedakah (consider supporting an organization in Israel that in your estimation will hasten the coming of redemption in our day), and that we each add an act of loving kindness to our list of weekly commitments (for these moments of love soften the heart that threatens to harden in times of pain).

At this time, I pray that our deeds bring a measure of comfort to our Father Abraham, who on days and weeks such as these, mourns for his children Ishmael and Isaac in heaven.

With prayer,
Yonatan Cohen

The Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America Statement on the Brutal Murder of Muhammad Abu Khdeir in Jerusalem

The Orthodox Union and the Rabbinical Council of America unequivocally condemn the brutal murder of Muhammad Hussein Abu Khdeir. We are appalled that this heinous crime was allegedly carried out in revenge for the kidnapping and murders of three innocent Jewish teens in Gush Etzion. The murder of innocents is antithetical to Jewish law and tradition and must always be opposed by men and women of decency and morality. This merciless act of brutality defiles the name of God and desecrates the memories of Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Frenkel. We pray for the day when such senseless acts of violence will cease. We mourn the victim and offer condolences to his grieving family. We salute the Government of Israel for resolutely and without hesitation seeking to bring to justice the perpetrators of this reprehensible crime.
Orthodox Union
Rabbinical Council of America

International Rabbinic Fellowship Statement on the Brutal Murder of Palestinian Teenager in Jerusalem

The International Rabbinic Fellowship expresses its shock and revulsion at the brutal murder of Muhammad Hussein Abu Khdeir, an innocent 16 year old Palestinian teen, in what increasingly appears to be an attack undertaken by a number of extremist Jews in reprisal for the brutal murders of Eyal Yifrach, Naftali Frankel and Gilad Shaar by Hamas extremists.

We join with Prime Minister Netanyahu and the wide range of political and rabbinic leaders in Israel who have expressed their profound condemnation of this revenge killing as an “abominable act”. This despicable murder is a violation of cardinal principles of Jewish law and basic human morality and decency. We extend our sincere condolences to the parents and family of Muhammad Hussein Abu Khdeir.

We call upon all responsible leaders in the Jewish and Arab communities in Israel to work to calm the situation and not inflame tensions by their rhetoric and actions. No one should take the law into his or her own hands and rioting and incitement have no place in a civil society.

בית הלל | beit hillel

אנו כואבים והמומים מהרצח הנורא של הנער הערבי – מוחמד אבו חדיר ושולחים ברכות תנחומים למשפחתו.

רצח זה, ביחד עם קריאות אחרות לנקמה, מחללים את שם ה’, ופוגעים בזכרם הטהור של שלושת נערינו ההרוגים. התגובה הראויה על רצח הנערים חייבת לבוא מתוך הממשלה, ובכל מקרה חלילה לאיש לפגוע בערבי חף מפשע כדי לנקום דמם של יהודים. אנו מגנים בכל פה קולות של אכזריות ורצח בתוך מחננו. על אלימותם ורצחנותם של שונאינו לא נכפר באלימות וברצח משלנו.

על אברהם אבינו אומרת התורה “אשר יצווה את בניו ואת ביתו אחריו ושמרו דרך ה’ לעשות צדקה ומשפט”. כבניו של אברהם עלינו לשמור את דרך ה’, ולעשות צדקה ומשפט גם בשעות מבחן, כשהלב דואב והזעם ממלא את הכל, ולא לאחוז בדרכם האכזרית של אויבינו. הנוקט במעשי אכזריות ורצח מוציא עצמו מכלל ישראל מכתים את הציבור בחטא נורא וגורם נזקים לכלל ישראל.

על משטרת ישראל ומערכת המשפט לעשות הכל כדי להביא את הרוצחים לדין ולהשתיק באיבם קולות הקוראים לפגיעה בערבים.