In the face of devastating terror, we must stand with the people of Israel | Opinion

One hundred and twenty years ago, a poem changed the way antisemitism was seen in the world. “In the City of Slaughter,” by Chaim Bialik, spread waves across both the non-Jewish world, where it laid to bare the heinous reality of the frequent antisemitic attacks against innocent Jews, and in the Jewish community, where it began a history-altering question about what must be done to ensure Jewish survival.

The poem described the 1903 Kishinev pogrom, a devastating three-day antisemitic riot in what was then Russia during which the Jewish community was barbarically stormed, with countless rapes, brutal murders, and innocents left wounded, by mobs of their non-Jewish neighbors.

Although pogroms, or violent attacks on the Jewish community allowed by the government, were commonplace at the time, Bialik’s words described the horrors in front of the eyes of the world, and no longer could such savage crimes be ignored.

Today the slaughter is not in poetry but in videos, proudly displayed by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and others, terror groups dedicated to the murder of Jews all over the world. While the Cossacks and even the Nazis went to great lengths to try to hide their evil crimes, these soulless terrorists share theirs with pride.

Just as “The City of Slaughter” forced the world to stop ignoring the monstrous antisemitc butchery of Jews, the videos Hamas proudly share of their demonic slaying of innocents should shake the conscience of the world, compelling us to ensure such evil cannot continue. Just as Kishinev moved the Jewish world to new paths to confront these threats, images of beheaded and burned infants must move Israel to stop the cycle of terrorism.

Our hearts are shredded as we watch reports of the vicious massacre that took place in the land of Israel. The torture, rape and slaughter of infants, men, women, and children, just for being Jews, causes unimaginable pain. This is pure, unadulterated evil, right before our eyes.

Those days have been the bloodiest in Jewish history since the Nazis were defeated. Over 1,200 Jews have been brutally slain. Now, these vile modern day Nazis seek to annihilate the Jewish people living in the land of Israel, from the river to the sea.

Those same words of hate were shouted at antisemitic rallies in New York and Sydney, and even here in Lexington, where crowds gathered in support of the massacres and rapes. Seeing people gather in support of such wanton butchery shocks the senses of any moral person.

It is incumbent upon our government and all people of good character to stand with the people of Israel as they strive to defend their families and stave off this evil attack. I am proud to see Kentucky elected officials across party lines proudly standing with the Jewish people, yet shudder to see members of Congress who cannot condemn evil. Our country has a moral need to continue to strand against terror.

Make no mistake: This was not war but slaughter, and suggesting that “Leaders on both sides” must stop the violence or counting the victims as casualties of war is shameful. This is a battle between good and evil, between those who love life and those who only celebrate death.

In times of trouble in the Holy Land, The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, my personal mentor, reminded us of G-d’s promise that our prayers and good deeds help to secure the safety of our brothers and sisters in Israel.

This is especially true with the mitzvah for Jewish men to wrap Tefillin, about which the Torah says that it will cause our enemies to fear us. It also includes Shabbos candles, reciting Psalms & doing acts of charity. If you would like to do one of these impactful Mitzvah for Israel, please contact Chabad.

At the University of Kentucky, students gathered with members of our Jewish community in a powerful way to pray and stand with Israel, even as the University itself has remained silent, ignoring the pleas of Jewish students.

Our community can not stand silent in the face of evil. No good person can stand idly by when the blood of innocents cry out. Share loudly that you stand with the people of Israel, encourage elected officials to do their part and pray for the protection of Jerusalem and her people.

Rabbi Shlomo Litvin is executive director of Chabad of the Bluegrass and chair of the Kentucky Jewish Council.

This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 11:23 AM.