How long will the wicked – O G-d – how long will the wicked exult? They speak freely, they utter malicious falseood, they glorify themselves, all the workers of iniquity. Your nation, G-d, they crush, and afflict Your heritage. The widow and the stranger they slay and the orphan the murder. (Tehillim 91:3-6)
This is from the Shir Shel Yom for today, wednesday. Today in Israel two bodies of Jews were returned in coffins in “an exchange” for the release from prison of some wicked individuals, one of whom explicitly murdered an orphan and others. Today he returned from Israeli prison to his wicked nation where he was greeted as a hero with big banners and celebration. The leaders of this nation called the day to be a national holiday and people not only rejoiced over the return of the killers, but also of the sorrow of the Jewish people on the very same day to have our hopes crushed and find our two boys coming back in coffins.
Getting past the blame, poor planning, the sadness, and the anger, we are left with the question of how G-d Who only does good could have such a situation in world? All these “Gam Zu LaTova” stories – like how somebody missed some big opportunity for something, felt all sad, and then said “It’s all for the good” and sure enough it worked out – don’t seem to even closely fit in with this. This is a nation – millions of G-d’s creations – rejoicing a loss for the Jewish people and a murderer who perpetrated this! Making it a national holiday! The Neshamos of these two Jewish boys have already been taken, and even if we were to destroy every member of this nation it would not bring them back, nor would it take back these bad feelings. Likely, it would leave us feeling empty. Of course, we await their return with the coming of Moshiach and the Jewish bodies who will come back from the ground full of life, but still – where is the justice?
We say every morning (or if not, should have a goal to eventually do so) two Berachos before the morning Shema. The first one is Yotzer Ohr – יוצר אור. The full text of the opening line of this Blessing is Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, King of the Universe, Who forms light and creates darkness, makes peace and creates everything. Rabbi Shimon Shcwabb זצ”ל discusses this Beracha:
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