Heartbreaking: What Does a Father Who Lost Two Sons in the Tragedy of the Death Stairs Wish For?
Rabbi Meir Elhadad, who lost his two sons in the horrific Meron tragedy, delivers chilling words of encouragement: "We nullify our entire being before Hashem."
(Photo: shutterstock)The dreadful Meron disaster claimed the lives of 45 precious and pure souls. Among them were brothers: Moshe Mordechai Elhadad, 12, and his brother Yosef David Elhadad, 18. They were laid to eternal rest on Saturday night in Meron, near the resting place of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai.
The bereaved father, Rabbi Meir Elhadad, said in pain: "This is a sorrow for all of Israel. Although they are my sons, the sorrow belongs to all of Israel. There are 45 souls from the people of Israel who perished, and 45 in Gematria represents 'What'.
"'What' characterizes our nullification to Hashem. As Moses said, 'And we are what'. We need to recognize that we are nullified. We nullify our entire existence before Hashem. We have no identity in this world.
"When difficult things happen that we do not understand — Jews who came to rejoice at the celebration of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai. How could such a disaster happen? But that is precisely the point. Hashem, in His divine providence, chose every soul that was there. I had five sons there, out of which three were saved and two perished. Hashem chose exactly which souls belonged already in Gan Eden.
Rabbi Elhadad recalls the difficult night in Meron, filled with immense helplessness regarding the lives of his sons. "All night I was helpless, I said, 'Master of the Universe, I ask of you, do not take my faith from me. Give me faith. I need strength.' That is what I cried all night. By Hashem's grace, He did not take my faith away. I thank for the past and ask for the future, that as long as the soul is within me, I acknowledge that Hashem has done, does, and will do all the deeds. There is none else beside Him," concluded the bereaved father, his words flowing from his heart.
Rabbi Meir Nachman Elhadad, father of Moshe Mordechai and Yosef David who perished in the Meron disaster, with words of faith and encouragement: "Hashem, in His divine providence, chose every soul that was in Meron." Watch (courtesy of Channel 12 News):
Rabbi Zamir Cohen following the Meron disaster: How can such a great tragedy occur in a holy place?
