Again, as in the Simchat Torah Massacre, the entire world sees the fulfillment of the verse (Ecclesiastes 7:14) "This is what God has done." God created a world in which we are placed opposite one another – light versus darkness, good versus evil, kindness versus wickedness, love versus hatred, holiness versus impurity.
On one side stand Jews whose only desire is to increase light, love, and giving, and to make the world a better place, and on the other side stand vile murderers whose only goal is to cut off lives and increase darkness and evil.
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The massacre of peaceful Jews in Australia, who gathered to celebrate Hanukkah, is another link in the long and painful chain of pogroms and massacres of Jews simply because they were Jews. This is the same hatred of Israel that shed the blood of Jews in the Crusades, the riots of 1818-1819, the 'Storms in the Negev' pogroms in Ukraine, in Hebron in 1819, in the terrible Holocaust, in the murderous attack on Simchat Torah, and in all the terrorist attacks carried out in Israel and around the world.
One line connects them – a murderous lust that is all about killing Jews.
Yes, it will increase, and yes, it will break out.
The pain is great, the blow is severe, but as the Lubavitcher Rebbe guided us in events of this kind, we are called to respond in the ancient Jewish way – "And as they afflict him, so he will multiply and so he will break forth." Against darkness we will increase the light, and against evil we will strengthen the good even more.
The forces of darkness will not be able to overcome the light. On the contrary, the light will prevail and become a thousand times stronger. The murderers took the physical life of a precious messenger, but they will not be able to harm the spirit of the mission and the determination of the messengers to add light and holiness to the world. We harness the pain to strengthen and overcome, to enhance positive action, as "a little light drives out much darkness.".
Some believe that in such situations it is appropriate to withdraw inward, not to anger the enemies too much, not to stand out, to hide Jewish characteristics. Perhaps if we reduce our presence, our existence will not bother them so much, and then they will agree to tolerate our presence in their environment with the greatest kindness.
The vast experience accumulated throughout Jewish history has proven unequivocally that this path opens a slope to the abyss. The moment you transmit weakness, collapse, and inaction, you only whet the appetite of your enemies. If you give up your identity and your values, you lose your honor in their eyes.
Don't bow your head.
Contrary to the cowardly approach, standing tall and Jewish genius are the way to confront evil. Some were previously wary of the activities of Chabad emissaries in placing menorahs in city centers and demonstrating other expressions of Judaism in public.
Reality proved the opposite. These actions brought respect and appreciation to the Jews. Senior figures came to the ceremonies, congratulated and encouraged them. The media covered them with sympathy, showed interest and sought to learn about the Jewish holidays and their meaning. The general public responded with appreciation.
Jews should be proud of their Judaism. Not to bow our heads or try to appease the wrath of the 'Fritz.' Quite the opposite. Standing tall for our faith and our values – alongside taking the necessary security measures – is what will also bring about the appreciation of the world around us, will make anti-Semitism rejected and despised, and will raise the foundation of the Jewish people.
