Once again evil has manifested itself in a pernicious way. So how do we react?

I have one foot out the door on my way to Israel in a few hours. My plans for this trip will be dramatically altered in light of the crushing news that the bodies of our three sons have been found murdered in cold blood. But I cannot leave without penning a few hastily collected thoughts.

We are all privileged to be a part of Am Yisrael, a great, ancient, and noble nation that has always brought light to the nations of the world. For some inexplicable reason we have been hated, persecuted, and murdered by evil people for our entire history. Once again evil has manifested itself in a pernicious way and has murdered three beautiful boys who were kidnapped on their way home from school.

So how do we react?

1. The Jewish people have always persevered and survived and we must once again. And we will!

2. We must extend our love, support and condolences to the boys’ respective families, who have demonstrated their nobility over the past eighteen days. While we all feel the loss, they feel it in the way that only a nuclear family — mom, dad, grandparents, and siblings — can.

3. We must support Israel and the IDF and the SHABA”K as they do whatever they must to eradicate evil.

4. We have prayed every day for those boys. Hashem in his mysterious and incomprehensible ways, has said, “no.” Why? None of us will ever know! But our prayers were not in vain. They unified us in an incredible way. We made our case before the Ribbono Shel Olam. I feel that he owes us big time. I also believe that He keeps his books balanced and will not forget our pleas in the future. We MUST maintain our faith and not lose our voices of prayer. Our hands and feet should continue to be active in performing mitzvot and good deeds.

5. We must pray for the classmates of these boys and the many Jewish children who have been traumatized by this horrible experience. We must pray for their teacher and principals. G-d protect our kids!

6. We must never forget and always remember Gilad Shaar, Naftali Frenkel, and Eyal Yifrach. They are victims of an act of Amalek. We are commanded to remember and not forget.

Let us join all good people in our revulsion toward this heinous crime. May their blood be avenged without mercy for the perpetrators. May Am Yisrael see better times ahead. Let us believe with all our heart and faith in the eternity of G-d and of Israel. May our redemption come soon.