”When you have faith, you believe that God puts challenges in front of you, and tests your faith. Sometimes you may not understand why things happen, but that does not mean you should give up. Sometimes it takes years to figure out what you learned from the situation.”
“Rivky was synonymous with a smile, with laughter. You always knew when Rivky was there and she always made everyone feel at home. She was always available to help and was always doing something for another.”
It is easy to smile when things are going well. But to smile, constantly and meaningfully, when things are difficult, challenging and painful, is a real testament to one’s character. No matter whom you speak with, be it a family member, childhood friend, co-worker or passing traveler, you will hear the very same thing about Rivka. Her smile had the power to light up not only her face, but the room and everyone in it. She knew that even when things were hard, there was joy to be felt and a purpose in one’s life to fulfill.
Nonetheless, Rivka was no stranger to tragedy. She rarely spoke about what tore at her heart and soul day and night.
Gavriel Holtzberg and Rivkah Rosenberg married in 2002. Their firstborn son, Menachem Mendel, was born a year later, afflicted with Tay-Sachs disease. He died at the age of three. Their second son, DovBer, was born with the same ailment and was institutionalized in a pediatric long-term care facility in Israel under the care of his grandparents. He died at the age of four in December 2008. Their third son, Moshe, was born healthy and lived with them in Mumbai.
After marrying, Gavriel and Rivkah had moved to Mumbai, India to serve as Chabad emissaries and open the first Chabad House in Mumbai. They taught the Torah, offered drug prevention services, and ran a hostel. They hosted Jews from all walks of and provided their mikveh to be used by Jews and madechallah available to them.
On November 26, 2008, Rivkah Holtzberg, five months pregnant, and her husband were murdered by Muslim terrorists in their Jewish center, leaving their son, Moshe, an orphan. He had been rescued and saved by their Indian nanny, Sandra Samuel, who was loved and trusted by the young Moshe. Rivkah’s body was discovered wrapped in a tallit (Jewish prayer shawl). It is believed that her husband Gavriel covered her body as a final act before being executed by his captors.
Shimon Rosenberg, Rivkah’s father, gave an emotional eulogy for his daughter and son-in-law. He praised the couple for drawing many Jews to the Torah and Judaism in life and in death. He told how they had “devoted their lives to acts of goodness and kindness and compassion for others … but they lost their lives in a senseless act of hatred. In the face of this terror we must not bow to fear. We must respond by spreading our own message of tolerance and respect for people of other backgrounds and other beliefs. He spoke of Rivkah, saying “Thousands of women on this past erev Shabbat lit candles because of you. You are the cause of this unity. It must continue!”
The nation of Israel is no stranger to terrorism and death. She has been persecuted for righteousness’ sake for too long. Let us continue to pray for the people of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
To read more about Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg see articles inWikipedia, Chabad, Israel National News, Times of Israel.
No comments:
Post a Comment