Tragedy in Mumbai

A Question Of Language The only thing I object to is the characterization of what happened as a "tragedy." I think it equates human evil with an act of nature and they're not the same. The latter is a tragedy since no one can control it. Human beings on the other hand do not have to commit evil. The evils of Man and of nature are qualitatively different. Nevertheless some word has to be used to describe what occurred. The word used obscures and does not really convey the enormity of the atrocity that happened and perhaps that is the term that most fits what we witnessed last week. Its a reminder that language can never completely capture for us the full horror of what happened, which will always haunt our memories. Reply

God Bless & Protect The Chabad Movement I am proud to call myself a member of chabad although i am not frum. I was born in Israel and have lived in the USA since 1973 . Regardless of where my many travels have taken me around the world and in the USA Chadab can always be counted on to feed my hunger both at a sabbeth table and my jewish mind. LETS ALL MAKE SURE THAT THE KIDS OF THESE TWO BRAVE PEOPLE ARE TAKEN CARE OF . MAKE A PLEDGE TO TAKE CARE OF HOLTZBERG KIDS. Thank you Chabad for being there for me and many others . Its our turn to be there for you. May God Bless And Protect This Jewish Movement . Reply

Mumai Tragedy We are very sorry for the loss you are suffering. We have been and are praying for the families and friends of all who were killed. Bless you all. Reply

We need to take more responsibility for the world I was reading The Midrash says for the portion of Toldot today. At the end of the parashat, it mentioned clearly, that the Jewish Nation has an enormous responsibility to study Torah and to behave according to the law. If we are all doing that, the other nations of the world will serve us. If not, they will all be angry at us because we are not doing our work. The Midrash says in the portion of Toldot clearly explain the reason of Anti-Semitism in the world. The Midrash even mentioned that we should not be concerned about expensive luxuries such as a car, for example, since a car requires money and to make money we need to dedicate time to business away from our Torah studying. I am very sad but what happened in Mumbai, I still cannot believe it. May this event serve us to awaken our hearts and work on our true purpose to do Tikun Olam. Reply

Mumbai attacks I am a regular reader of Chabad articles which i subscribe through email and my sincere thoughts are with the family of the rabbi and all others who lost thier lives in this merciless attacks. As a Indian I am full of grief at this merciless attack on civilians and peace loving people.May all thier souls rest in peace. Reply

Terror in Bombay The events in Mumbai marks a watershed in the Indian Jewish history. Throughout the more than two millennium history of Judaism in India, we Indians are quite proud that India has been completely free of antisemitism. Not a single finger has been pointed at Jews, not a single one killed. Prominent Indian Jews for a miniscule community include the Sassoons ( Vidal Sassoon), General David & the poet Nissim Ezekiel.

Now comes these terrorists from the Sea with these senseless acts, coupled with utter carelessness for the part of Indians. It is clear that Israelis and Jewish cultural symbols worldwide stand as targets for Islamists.

Probably this level of carelessness is because of our past heritage, but looking now to future this has to change. Reply

We stand united Dear Friends

Whatever India's official stand is and whatever the govt. says. The Indian people love Israel and love Jewish people. I am proud to come from a country which has been most hospitable to Jewish people. My feelings have been reciprocated by Jewish people in Israel and Antwerp. Reply

I am not Jewish - I am a Christian - but I want to extend my deepest sympathies to the entire Chabad community at the death of this wonderful young rabbi and his dear wife. My prayers are that you all will be comforted, and that G-d will watch over and bless those sweet children - now orphans; I am sure they will grow up knowing how much their parents loved them and what wonderful work their parents did...all in the name of helping others. If more people of any faith worked to help others as the Holzbergs did, this world would be a better place! Reply

'Tragedy' in 'Mumbai' My deepest condolences to the Holtzberg' and Rosenberg families

I wish you wouldn't use the word 'tragedy'. It marginalizes the pure evil acts of murder and terrorism which have taken place.

'Tragedy' is when a car slides on an icy patch when trying to brake, or a cable snaps on a construction krane.

Premeditated terrorism and murder is not accidenta. Make no mistake - the people murdered in the name of Islam in Bombay are dead as a result unadulterated evil, not some tragic accident of fate. Reply

Time of Sorrow It is hard to find hope for Jews in the world under the circumstances of exploding hatred and anti-semitism. When ones life is terminated in such horrific manner, it remains us that such is a perpetual and non-ending tragedy. For every life that is terminated, many others cease to exist. For these couple, one just wonder how many others.... These were beautiful people, kind, loving, generous...these were our people, unique and chosen. I never met them, but I love them deeply. My family mourns their loss. To their families - we love you and somewhere in the world, there is someone that feels your pain and shares your sorrows. We, the Jewish people are one and for those here we must have hope. I love you. Shabbat Shalom - Reply

Respecting the rabbis I would like to take a moment here to suggest that many of us maybe more conscientious in how we respect our rabbis (if I maybe presumptuous enough to say 'our rabbis' in conjunction to myself?).

Unfortunately, sometimes we don't give proper thought to such considerations until tragedy befalls us.

How many of you have argued and debated with your rabbi, when perhaps you should have listened to him more?

How many of you have made a nudnik out of yourself at his expense, and imposed yourself on him (and the Rebbetzin) too much?

Are not the rabbinate one of the most overly beseiged group of men in world history by those outside Bnai Israel?

Those of us who should know better might try to be more supportive and understanding of 'our rabbis'; especially-

in honor of those no longer with us. Reply

Murderers and their Apologists The United States and a few brave allies have fought this terrorist scum while the rest of the world and many Americans sit idly by - DOING NOTHING! We will all soon learn that President Bush was right in his actions, and those in our country and elsewhere who have constantly spoken out against his actions, have given groups such as this encouragement to carry out these cowardly acts. Shame on the Jewish community for supporting the Islamic apologists in our country including all those Democrats you recently helped elect. You have helped to bring this on yourselves and the rest of the world. Reply

salute to bravery Having had the privilege of meeting with members of Chabad in the USA and in Europe, I know of the dedication and love and devotion they have in working to keep the flame of Jewish culture alive under difficult circumstances. The Rabbi and his wife in Mumbai are another example of what is right about Chabad. My thoughts and best wishes go out to their family and friends. As I prepare to start a new Jewish library in Lithuania, a country still reeking of anti-Semitism, I face my own challenges. I hope that I can show half the bravery and dedication to duty as every Chabad Rabbi who gives up the comforts of home to serve overseas Reply

Responding to tragedy In the last few days, I been distressed by the shift in response within the Jewish community as it became clear that the Mumbai Chabad house was also under attack--all of a sudden we cared, but only about the Jews. While, on the one hand, it seems humanly impossible and hugely impractical to respond to every tragedy with equal empathy, terrorism is the scourge of our day, and Jews, of all people, should know just because it's not knocking on our door one time, it doesn't mean that we are safe. As we pray for and anticipate Mashiach, it seems crucial that we mobilize our prayers vigorously in response to any act of evil in the world, whether or not it is directed towards Jews. May evil be rooted out once and for all and may we see the arrival of Mashiach soon! Reply

I am not religious by any means, so I wouldn't know how to pray. Nevertheless, all my thoughts go towards the Holzbergs and to the now orphan. Reply

Innocent Israelis killed in Mumbai Operation Success but Patients died - since hundreds of innocent people from India and other foreign countries are killed by the poor planning and the worst action of the military force used to flush the terrorists. There should have been some negotiations and discussions done with the terrorists to buy time and then planned to overtake the terrorists. The Israeli intelligence views are very right. Reply

Mumbai Tradegy I have visited the Chabad House in Southgate on numerous occaisons and the Rabbi and his wife at the local shul were also the same kind of people, kind, generous, warm, loving and I am saddened deeply of the situation in Mumbai at the Chabad House. G-d have mercy on these people and they are in my thoughts Reply

Mumbai What a horrible tradegy we have seen unfolding before our eyes over two days. Once again, Jews are victims (as are the Hundus and most civilized people) merely because of their religion.

Here in Toledo our Jewish community of merely 3000 people has close relationships with the Hindu community and of course our beloved Rabbi Yossi Shemtov, his wife Raizel, and children.

After 9/11 the entire Toledo community was asked to form a "peace circle" around the local Islamic Center. Hundreds of people responded. I am wondering whether the Islamic community will be so eager to lend a word of condolence to Chabad, the local Jewish and Hindu communities when it is inevitably revealed who is responsible for this madness. Reply

What it should teach everyone is that true protection is only in the God of heaven, not in prophets, religion or religious ways! Reply