VIN News/Jerusalem Post/AP/Arutz 7
The bodies of Eyal Yifrah, 19, from Elad; Gilad Sha’ar, 16, from Talmon; and Naftali Frenkel, also 16, from Nof Ayalon – who were murdered nearly three weeks ago by terrorists after being abducted on their way home from school – were laid to rest side by side this afternoon in Modi’in cemetery.
Tens of thousands took part at the funeral ceremony that began at roughly 6:40 p.m., with slightly over an hour delay apparently due to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s late arrival amid the complicated arrangements of coordinating the thousands of participants.
The three bodies, wrapped in Israeli flags, were laid beside the podium.
At the start of the ceremony, the fathers of the three murdered teens recited kaddish (the prayer for the dead) together, facing the flag-draped bodies of their sons.
Rabbi Dov Zinger, Dean of Yeshiva Makor Chaim in Kfar Etzion where Naftali and Gilad studied, and where the teens were returning from when they were abducted and murdered, spoke next.
“You were abducted at the start, the very start of your lives,” said the rabbi, describing the boys and their personalities.
Addressing the families, the rabbi commented “you opened your hearts and your doors to us in recent days,” noting how through bringing all of Israel together in sorrow – from across the religious and political spectrum – they succeeded in unifying the nation.
“Let us remember that saying ‘two Jews, three opinions’ – but one heart,” remarked Rabbi Zinger.
Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi David Lau in his passionate speech described how “you see the nation with so much empathy…we saw what a strong nation there is here…no one could ever harm this nation…because it’s one nation with one heart.”
“Even if you cut off these three flowers you never will succeed, because there’s a continuation. There’s Gilad, Naftali and Eyal in all the people of Israel and the whole world,” added Rabbi Lau. Addressing G-d, he added “No one can defeat this people, even in hard moments they stand before You in prayer. …They don’t give up on an eternal tradition.”
“Rest in peace, our holy brothers, rest in peace on the the land…whose many children accompany you today with a promise that we are continuing,” concluded the rabbi. “The sons continues in the land that is an inheritance of their fathers, which became an inheritance of the sons.”
A visibly emotional Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu then took to the podium.
“In the last 18 days the figures of Eyal, Gilad and Naftali were carved on our hearts. …This day spontaneously became a national day of mourning.
“The whole nation prayed for the return of the boys, and the whole nation saw the nobility of spirit, and inner strength of you, the parents,” added the prime minister.
“The nation understood immediately the depth of the roots and the strength of spirit you possess,” continued Netanyahu, turning to the parents. “We learned a lesson that will not be forgotten, of faith and firmness, of unity and sensitivity, of Judaism and humanity.”
Netanyahu continued “a whole nation stood together and received a reminder: who are we? why are we here?”
Addressing the mothers Racheli, Bat-Galim and Iris, Netanyahu remarked “you gave the whole world a lesson about the cry of a mother,” likely referencing their speech at the UN.
“These are despicable murderers of children, whose brothers rejoice over the spilled blood of the innocent. A deep moral abyss separates between us and our enemies. They sanctify death, we sanctify life. They sanctify cruelty, and we sanctify mercy. That’s the secret to our strength, and also the basis for our unity,” noted Netanyahu.
“Life has it’s own strength, like a river that drags us forward, and gives us hope,” concluded the Prime Minister. “An entire nation cries and embraces you…they will be a source of comfort.”
i have a close relative who didn’t but almost hitchiked with them… scary
Note we found out 18 days later…Eyal, Gilad, and Naftali will go on.
Ad Mosai!?
Ad mosai!!!
MOSHIACH NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could of not said it better myself
that is so beautiful. Zichron Tzadik l’beracha. How much more, each time one of these babies is called, there will be the memori of tzadikim, kedoishim. May the all grow to Torah Chuppa and Maaisim tovim, so these kedoishim will continue to live through them, and comfort the parents and familes of these holy martyrs
Triplet boys were born in Eretz Yisroel. Today was their Bris & theywere named for the 3 boys…………….
Netanyahu should have been booed off the stage heckled & a clear message sent ! opportunity missed! Nothing real will R’l be done to avenge their deaths wait & see
While this is a terrible time, and so embittering, it is beautiful to see the achdus. May we merit to see the achdus for HAPPY occasions, with mashiach NOW!
I THINK WE HAVE SHOWN AN OVER ABUNDANCE OF GIVING OUR LIVES FOR HASHEM!!!!DON’T YOU THINK SIX MILLION SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENOUGH???? NEVER MIND ALL THE REST THAT CAME AFTER THE SIX MILLION. LIKE FAMILY IN ISRAEL THAT WAS KILLED WHILE SLEEPING ON FRIDAY NIGHT….. IT’S ENOUGH ALREADY!
So nice to see how much Ahavas Yisroel there is
MOSHIACH NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
so sad
The families should be comforted; which is difficult with such pain. The following are the words of the Rebbe when Mrs. Lapine was gave her life al kiddush Hashem: Everything that occurs in this world is by Divine plan; how much more so when a Jewish life is given in sanctification of G-d’s Name. But that doesn’t make the pain any easier to bear… It is said that Rabbi Yosef Caro was on such a high level that he earned the opportunity to give his life for G-d. Subsequently, however, he lost that merit, but instead went on to author… Read more »
These parents look such wonderful yiddishe people, so kind and so upstanding, I cannot believe it. Why
Does Hashem let this happen to us, his people, we believe in him, we trust him, why did these yeshiva boys die like this, we are human, how can we think this is for the good, it’s not, it a destructin of the boys and their families, who have to carry on regardless. How is this ok, it can’t be. It’s just not ok. May they rest in peace.
Chana s
Teens( and everyone else) here in ny , just look at these pics and see what life in eretz yisroel is like for your peers. Take note – daven ur best , learn ur best, do chesed …. For ur brothers in israel for moshiach now!!!
Nothing to say.
Lets hope the Israeli authorities will have the confidence to do what needs to be done