[By David Mandel]
As we go into shabbos let us be thankful for the gift we have that we are unable to listen to news reports nor read any websites or blogs. We should enjoin ourselves from reading newspapers as well. We need this respite.
Our minds, hearts and emotions need a break from the repetitive horror news cycle.
We can take this time to think about the events of the week by focusing on how Leiby and every young beautiful child brings nachas to their parents. We can consider how we as parents will act any different in the way we want to teach our children lifes most complicated lessons.
We can use the time on shabbos constructively by not replaying in our words and images the horrors of the tragedy, the evil of the murderer, what his legal strategy will be or the results of his psychiatric exam. It doesn’t help Leiby, his family or us.
Let’s help each other cope with a good story about Leiby and his family and how magnificently the community responded before and after the tragedy.
David Mandel is the Chief Executive Officer, OHEL Children’s Home and family Services.
NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of YWN.
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4 Responses
Lets remember to call the Police if we suspect any wrongdoing or if our children inform us that someone approached them, tried to grab them or spoke to them or touched them inappropriately. Lets ignore those who tell us NOT to. DO NOT SUPPORT INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT PRACTICE NON-COMPLIANCE AS MANDATORY REPORTERS.
Very true point – agonizing over the horrific details doesn’t help. However, a better title of this article would’ve been – HASHEM’S Shabbos gift to us.
HASHEM wanted us to use the gift of Shabbos to connect to Him. And yes, use the gift of Shabbos to recharge our batteries that got very worn down this past week. And yes, use the gift of Shabbos to read up on emuna and bitachon so that we can be better equipped to deal with this world (may Moshiach come already and may the tzaros stop!).
Hello everyone, I am writing from Mexico just wanted to say that with the news, we shuddered a lot, and we’re all in this together and that Leiby’s family are not alone we are all with them. We are praying for Leiby’s family that may give them H’ nechoma
Hello everyone, I am writing from Mexico just wanted to say that with the news, we shuddered a lot, and we’re all in this together and that Leiby’s family are not alone we are all with them. We are praying for Leiby’s family that may give them H’ נחמה