PURELY COMMENTARY

6 | SEPTEMBER 19 • 2024 J
N

1942 - 2024

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 Michelle Sheridan 

essay

What Rachel Didn’t Say
I 

watched the eulogy twice. 
And while, like everyone else, 
I was brought to tears by the 
heartbreaking words Rachel Polin-
Goldberg said about her sweet 
Hersh, OBM, upon reflection, I was 
more impressed by what she didn’t 
say.
Rachel didn’t speak 
against any politician.
The spirit of unity 
that was so dominant 
on Oct. 8 has been 
strained. The tragic 
saga of the hostages 
has led to different 
approaches in how to respond to 
an impossible dilemma. Naturally, 
there is negative focus on leaders 
and military experts, with pent-
up anger, frustration and finger-
pointing. While I’m sure Rachel 
and John have opinions on this 
explosive topic, she chose not to use 
the funeral of beloved Hersh to fuel 
toxic flames of division.

Rachel didn’t mention the 
terrorists.
Remarkably, Rachel made no 
reference whatsoever to the terror 
organization and terrorists who 
cold-bloodedly murdered her son 
just days earlier.
Evil and terror thrive not only on 
horrible actions but on the presence 
it continues to have in the lives of 
victims and of those who are good.
It is extraordinary that Rachel 
chose not to make any mention of 
Hamas in her eulogy for Hersh. 
This is itself a form of victory over 
evil. Yes, you may have taken our 
brightest and finest, and the pain is 
indescribable, but we will not give 
you the additional success of living 
on in our world. We will do our 
very best to eliminate your presence, 
as the Hebrew words teach, “Let 
their names and memories be 
erased.” We will forever remember 
Hersh, but we will work to forget 
the evil cowards who snuffed out his 

pure soul.
Rachel didn’t question G-d.
It would have been perfectly 
understandable for Rachel to have 
cried out “Why G-d, why?” or 
questioned, challenged or simply 
express disappointment with G-d. 
And yet, amazingly, Rachel began 
by thanking G-d — “I want to do 
Hakarat Hatov and thank G-d in 
front of all of you here” — for the 
gift of having Hersh for 23 years.
Having faith is one thing, 
struggling with faith is natural, but 
to thank G-d in moments of unfair 
pain is, in my mind, the greatest 

level of faith one can achieve.
On that morning, Rachel had a 
microphone to the world. What she 
said touched our lives forever. What 
she didn’t say was equally telling.
May Hashem grant strength, 
comfort and resilience to Rachel, 
John, Libi and Orli.
May Hersh’s memory continue to 
inspire and brighten the world.
May we see redemption from the 
unbearable pain. 

Rabbi Shneur Silberberg is assistant rabbi at 

the Sara Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center of 

West Bloomfield.

Rabbi 
Shneur 
Silberberg

Hersh and 
Rachel

