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March 7, 2008
Jerusalem Yeshiva Massacre Photos
Snapshots of evil.
Yesterday afternoon, news of the slaughter at the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem yesterday shocked me, shocked the world. It was the first major terrorist incident inside the city of Jerusalem in four years. Eight died. Nine were seriously wounded. Perhaps we had thought that the security barrier was able to protect the city completely. Evil is more clever than that.
This morning I was shocked again and wept at my desk when a close friend e-mailed me links to two Picasa photo galleries of the aftermath of the massacre (click here and here for the aftermath and here for pictures of the mourners). The aftermath photos are bloody. But we who are often isolated from such violence need to see such things in order to name the horror for what it is.
The irony is that we are approaching the feast of Purim (to be celebrated this year March 20-23). The traditional festival celebrates the courage of Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai that helped deliver the Jews from the genocidal Haman.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Comments
Truly tragic and horrifying. During the Lebanon conflict a couple of years ago I was really impressed with CT's evenhandedness covering the conflict. Still, these days I don't feel like there is any kind of proportionate outrage when Israeli helicopters shoot rockets into Palestinian crowds.
No one has clean hands in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Evangelical Christians ought to be careful in defaulting their support for Israel.
Posted By: Matt k | March 7, 2008 12:30 PM
Gracious God and heavenly Father, We are broken people. Forgive us. Please comfort those who mourn and give strength to each family -- to every resident in and visitor to Jerusalem -- in these sad days. Even in the wake of this violence, somehow, bring peace. Use us, and help us to know how we can be your instruments to bring true shalom, true salaam. In Jesus
Posted By: Kim | March 7, 2008 1:00 PM
I pray that the residents of Jerusalem, who mostly live in bondage to an anti-Christian cult, may be given the gift of repentance and find peace in the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.
Posted By: RJR_fan | March 7, 2008 3:18 PM
Truly, we are furious of these terroristic attacks. Yet, no human solution can ever be devised to solve these animalistic behavior. We live in an evil world where Lucifer is the ruling power. We need GOD to help us. It is only the power of the LORD GOD who can solve these crimes. In the Last Days more terror will come that no human mind can comprehend. Let us return to God and ask His help.
Posted By: Ernesto Tamayo | March 7, 2008 11:59 PM
Any loss of life is sad, when it is as a result of an act this senseless it is even harder to deal with.
Each of us struggles with our own difficulties, but when the outside influences like this occur our sense of order and desire for peace can be shattered.
We ought to pray for all of those involved, the victims, those who act violently, and for the hopelessness that is the genesis of acts like this.
We ought to pray that the Holy Spirit move powerfully within us, so that we are empowered to act in God's will, and do the same for the folks in that area as well, so that they are empowered by God to bring peace.
Until we allow the Holy Spirit to move, very little of any lasting value can be accomplished.
Posted By: Tom Delmonte | March 8, 2008 9:34 AM
Actually, "support for Israel" is not a bad default, just like "support for America" is not a bad default—even when we know things are not perfect in our government. The fact is that no human government is completely just. However, some are certainly more just in comparison to others. When the facts of history (and the present) are considered, Israel has clearly been more of a victim than a victimizer. Its mistakes are often admitted, and its basic desire for a peaceful co-existence is often overlooked. It is a good time in history for Christians to lend their "support for Israel" in light of the current ideological war being waged by Islam. I recommend the book by Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, The Case for Israel, for any who wonder why one might consider defaulting to a "support for Israel" position. —Every Blessing
Posted By: Tim Sigler | March 10, 2008 11:13 PM
This attack remember us that there is no safe place in the world and no one can save us also. Jesus Christ is the only one Savior and he can give only the everlasting peace. whoever believe and accept Jesus Christ as a personal Savior, he will be saved. This incident also remember us that the whole world is preparing for Anti-Christ and his Kingdom. This is the last days. Our Savior will come soon. Be ready to go with him. Any body read this letter think about you. Are you ready to go with Jesus Christ?
Posted By: Saja John | March 12, 2008 5:49 AM
ABSOLUTELY, when "THE TRINITY" is!
Posted By: Jerry L. Brittingham | August 25, 2010 3:10 PM