After what happened this week to that poor little boy, I, and many people that I know, are feeling frustrated and saddened by the senselessness and horror.
These past couple of days I’ve felt guilty for making a small joke, or playing with my boys, or being frustrated by their normal antics. How is it that I can smile, laugh and enjoy myself, or have the chutzpah to be annoyed with my kids, when there is a family, and indeed, a community, who are utterly devastated right now?
As I was saying brachos and Shemonah Esrei, I was thinking about the words, and wondering why Hashem let this horrible thing happen. I know that I’m not going to get any answers, or at least any easy ones. It’s not the kind of news story that just fades away easily. This has shaken many people on a very fundamental level. I can’t even really express any of the emotions without resorting to clichés.
Anyways, I wanted to post some links that I found helpful or comforting:
- On Aish.com, there’s a poignant article in memory of Leiby Kletzky
- There’s also an article on Coping with Tragedy in Borough Park on chabad.org
- And then there’s a note from a friend of a friend on Facebook, from a speech by Rabbi Eisenman from Passaic.
If anyone knows of any additional articles or words of comfort, I would appreciate if you could leave them in the comments section.
Also, please take the time to email a condolence email to the Kletsky family at this address: Leibykeltsky [dot] letters [at] gmail.com. They will get the notes to the Kletskys, and are hoping to have over 10,o00 letters before Shabbos.
Have a good Shabbos, everyone, and give your kiddos and loved ones an extra squeeze in gratitude.
Related articles
- Leiby Kletzky mourned at funeral (nydailynews.com)
- Leiby Kletzky: Funeral For Borough Park Boy Draws Thousands In Brooklyn (huffingtonpost.com)
Rivki Silver ~ thoughts & music 
Rivki, this is reposted (with some additions) from my Facebook page:
Just listened to Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen on the recently tragedy. The message: HaShem doesn’t want us to get depressed, or get down, he wants us to be better. He stressed learning the sefer Positive Word Power, working on bein adam l’chavero and not saying ona’as devarim, toning back your gashmius, and remembering hakaras hatov to HaShem. Rebbitzen Tehillah Jagaer also spoke and she was AMAZING. Not sure I can give it over properly, but she talked about learning to put the grief in a pocket, so we don’t forget, we use it to shteig, but we still have to get out in the sunshine with our children. To hear recording, call 718-906-6400, prompts are 1 – 5 – 10 – 2 and it will be the last one.
I have felt guilt anytime I have laughed or smiled or joked around as well… but the truth is I don’t think my children could handle it if I let myself break down right now. I don’t think I could. I have a duty to be carefree sometimes even when I don’t feel it on the inside. Tears will come at their right time… it can take time to process these things. Tears flow sometimes after the shock wears off.
Thank you ladies, and have a great Shabbos.
Isn’t this just horrible? It makes me sick to my stomach to think about. And also reminds us of what is important in life. Thanks for sharing. Shabbat Shalom.
It is horrific. Hope the post was a comfort, and that you had a good Shabbos.
Here is a link to another reaction:
http://morethodoxy.org/2011/07/15/coping-with-the-leiby-kletzky-ah-tragedy-by-rabbi-asher-lopatin/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+morethodoxy%2FJQTd+%28Morethodoxy%3A+Exploring+the+Breadth%2C+Depth+and+Passion+of+Orthodox+Judaism%29
Thank you for this link, Ilana-Davita. I really connected to what Rabbi Lopatin said.
After this very sad story, I posted a few things on my blog. Here are the links:
Leiby Kletzky a”h – a Message?!
Leiby Kletzky a”h – a Brick
A Korban – Yehuda ben R’ Nachman
How Can One Believe in Hashem after this?!
Hope this helps give you some chizuk.
Thank you so much, Devorah!