Each year on the fast day of Tisha B’av, we read the book of Eicha, the book of Lamentations. The book describes, in extremely graphic terms, the horrors which followed the destruction of the 1st Temple. We read of the agony of death, of hunger and thirst, of a complete lack of hope in the wake of the loss of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem.

It is impossible to read these words without thinking of the tragedies that have happened to our people through the centuries. We think of our ancestors who suffered at the hands of ruthless, hate-filled enemies. We think of those individuals and communities destroyed during the holocaust. And, we most certainly remember the tragedy of October 7, 2023, the horrific attack in which Hamas terrorists took the lives of so many in Israel and took hostages, some of whom are still imprisoned almost two years later.

We can not forget them or those who came before.

But, when we read the descriptions in the book of Eicha, we also can not ignore another fact: the devastation, the pain, the hunger which is rampant in Gaza. We must confront the reality of the pain of innocent people, particularly children, who are suffering as a result of a war which has gone on for almost two years. While it is absolutely true that the war began in the wake of Hamas’ horrible terrorist attacks of October 7 and while it is also true that Hamas could do so much more to feed and care for those who are in despair in Gaza, it is also true that Israel could do much more to help to alleviate the suffering of innocent individuals by increasing the amount of food and medicine going into Gaza.

So many of of our teachers have taught us the danger of indifference, of placing blame on others and absolving ourselves of the responsibility of action. So, whatever one believes about how responsible Israel is for the suffering of the children , it can not be denied that our tradition demands that we not turn our eyes away, Israel must help these victims of war.

I believe Israel was absolutely justified in waging this war but it has gone on far, far too long. It is time to take all steps to bring the hostages home, to end this war so that the Israeli solders can come home in peace and the children in Gaza will begin to see an end to their suffering. I pray that that day will come soon.