Grieving Nation Gathers for Slain Teens’ Funeral

Men, women and children from throughout Israel traveled today to the homes of Eyal Yifrach, 19, from Elad; Gilad Shaar, 16, from Talmon; and Naftali Frenkel, 16, from Nof Ayalon for their funerals. The groups joined together at the Modi’in cemetery, where the boys were laid to rest side-by-side.

From Chabad.org:

The bodies of three Israeli teenagers who were kidnapped in the West Bank earlier this month were discovered Monday by Israeli forces north of the city of Hebron.

The three students went missing 18 days ago on their way home from their yeshiva in the West Bank. When the three failed to arrive home or make contact with their families, authorities were notified. Naftali Frenkel is also an American citizen.

The boys’ parents—Ophir and Bat Galim Shaar, Uri and Iris Yifrach, and Avi and Rachel Frenkel—were told of the tragic news soon after the bodies were found by a search team that included IDF soldiers from an elite unit. It was apparent, authorities said, that the teens were killed soon after their abduction and were partially buried in an open field in an area that was difficult to access.

Israeli security forces had been intensively searching near the Halul junction just north of Hebron for the three teens on Monday, amid clashes with local Palestinians.

The Israel Defense Force had scoured the city and its environs as part of “Operation Brother’s Keeper,” and shifted its focus as the effort continued into its third week when suspects in the kidnapping were identified.

Statement from Rabbi Steinsaltz

Naftali Frankel and Gilad Shaar were students at Mekor Chaim Yeshiva High School, which is presided over by Rabbi Adin Even-Yisrael Steinsaltz. Eyal Yifrach studied at Shavey Hevron yeshivah in Hebron.

Rabbi Steinsaltz issued the following statement after hearing the tragic news.

“My dear friends:

I have just learned that the bodies of our three boys—Naftali Frenkel, Gilad Shaar and Eyal Yifrach–have been found. My heavy heart is with the families.

All this is come upon us; yet have we not forgotten Thee, neither have we been false to Thy covenant. Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from Thy path; Though Thou hast crushed us into a place of jackals, and covered us with the shadow of death. (Psalms 44:18-20)

These boys, our boys, have died al Kiddush Hashem (for the sanctification of G‑d’s name), simply because they are Jews.

Nay, but for Thy sake are we killed all the day; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (Psalms 44:23)

We cannot just light a candle and say a prayer. It is up to us now to live our lives in Kiddush Hashem, to sanctify G‑d through our deeds and our lives.

The word chaim (life) is in the plural because it contains both the good and the bad. It is up to us to go on.

Arise for our help, and redeem us for Thy mercy’s sake. (Psalms 44:27)”

Statement from Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters

A statement from Chabad-Lubavitch Headquarters in New York reads:

“Baruch Dayan Ha-Emet

In utter horror and profound grief we learned of the murders of the martyrs in the holy land of Israel,Yaakov Naftali Frankel, Gilad Michoel Shaar and Eyal Yifrach Hashem Yikom Damam.

The deaths of these three kedoshim represent an immense loss to Klal Yisrael.

Chabad representatives and their communities worldwide join the world Jewish community in praying and grieving with the families.

We call on world leaders to demand swift and severe punishment for the perpetrators of these heinous crimes against human life.

During this time of great mourning, let us take the Rebbe’s message to heart, and increase in acts of kindness and goodness towards one another, fortifying ourselves through Ahavat Yisrael.

As we stood united with all of world Jewry in praying for the return of our boys, we mourn with them their brutal, tragic deaths.

To the parents, siblings and families of the boys,

May G‑d console you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Our hearts are with you.”

Photos courtesy of hnn.co.il/Tatzpit Agency