Golani Brigade Sergeant Nachshon Mordechai Wachsman was an IDF soldier abducted by Hamas in 1994. He was held hostage by the organization for six days and executed during a failed military rescue operation. Wachsman's parents immediately appealed to world leaders, including then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, American President Bill Clinton and Muslim religious leaders to take every action necessary to have their son released.
On that Thursday night, with only 24 hours remaining until the ultimatum expired, prayer vigils for Wachsman were held across Israel and over 100,000 people from all religious, political, and social spheres gathered at the Western Wall to pray for his safe return. People who had never lit Shabbat candles had lit for Nachshon. The entire Nation of Israel was united and crying from the depths of their souls for the safe return of this very special hero of Israel.
How could it be that he wasn't saved? All those tears? All those tfilot? An entire nation united and begging our Heavenly Father to bring him back home? How could it be that Nachshon never made it back to his family's loving arms?
Nachshon's father's response was " Our loving father loves answering with a resounding"yes" to most of our requests, but sometimes, he has to say "No".
A woman once came to Reb Aryeh Levine to inform him that her husband was very ill and that he really needed tfilot (prayers). The holy Rabbi prayed as did the wife.They both implored our Father in Heaven to heal the sick husband. A few days later, the husband passed away and the wife came to the Rav crying and saying: "What were all my tfilot for? Why did I pray so hard for my dear husband and then G-d took him from me? Were my tears shed for nothing?".
Four years ago, the world lost a vivacious, strong and beautiful young mother named Ayala Pamela. She was diagnosed with metastatic cancer and left the world 6 weeks after the diagnosis. During those 6 weeks, hundreds of people around the world were praying for a speedy and complete recovery, pleading with G-d not to separate this precious soul from her very small children.
For four years now, hundreds of people around the world have been praying for a quick and speedy recovery for another dear and very beautiful friend named Rachael (Dahlben) Masri. She was a strong, smart, beautiful and vivacious young woman and mother who was filled with pure love for her children and her fellow Jew.
In moments where grief and sadness overtake me and I feel angry at G-d for taking away my dear friends, I shake my fists up to the heavens and say "Why, G-d? Why? Why did these two beloved jewels have to leave this earth so prematurely? Why are there now five orphans who will rely on anecdotes from others to remember their precious mothers? Did we all cry and beg you for nothing? What was the point of all the hafrashot challah? Of all the Tehillim groups? Of all the Mi Sh'berachs in shul? Where did all our tears go?"
This past Tuesday night, a handful of women and I went to a class given by Rebbetzin Esther Shurin, from our Alma Mater, Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya, the seminary where both Ayala Pamela and Rachael learned Torah. Rebbetzin Shurin shared the story of Nachshon and Reb Aryeh Levine and what both Nachshon's father and the Rav answered. The Rav told the grieving woman that Hashem stores our tears...Every last one. Not one tear is left unaccounted for.
I imagine that way up in heaven, by the Kisseh Hakavod, G-d's Heavenly Throne, lies a beautiful golden treasure chest, filled with Am Yisrael's tears. I imagine that those tears and our ultimate Redemption are somehow connected. I pray that the beautiful Ayala Pamela and the gorgeous Rachael are acting as strong advocates for us up there.
May their memories be blessed for Eternity.
