[VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE]

The events leading to Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014 were extremely painful, albeit leading to unprecedented achdus. The noshim tzidkoniyus; the mothers of the three abducted kedoshim HY”D exhibited unshakable bitachon in HKBH and their steadfastness during a most difficult time became infectious, sweeping across Israel and then traveling from continent to continent uniting the entire world Jewish community.

Mrs. Rachel Frenkel, Mrs. Bat Galim Shaar and Mrs. Iris Yifrach send a resounding message of unshakable faith to Jews around the world, and today, it appears that this shlichus has been handed to Mr. Gavriel Sassoon, who is visibly wounded by the mighty blow he sustained, yet he exhibits an outer gaze of tenacious bitachon in HKBH amid an awareness of H’s actions, no matter how difficult they appear to us, are his Akeidas Yitzchak and our response must be one of undiluted faith in Our Creator. He told Mabat News that one who relies on HKBH has immeasurable strength despite not knowing what the future has in store.

Psychologists would opine that “it hasn’t hit him yet” and “when the realization hits who knows what will occur” and this may be true, but for now we see Mr. Gavriel Sassoon internalize the bracha “Dayan HaEmmes”, using his family’s personal tragedy to give us chizuk and to spread his personal message of unshakable faith in Hashem.

Once again the tzibur is facing an unfathomable tragedy, the deaths of the seven children of the Sassoon family and the critical injuries sustained in the fire by the mother and the only remaining child. While one does not volunteer for such a shlichus, it appears that HKBH selects those who are not only capable to meet the challenge, but strong enough to use the life-shattering event to elevate Am Yisrael and this is what Mr. Gavriel Sassoon is doing while trying to endure as his wife and daughter struggle to overcome their injuries and as he tries to deal with grief that is beyond one’s worst imaginable scenario.

Gavriel explains his wife and daughter will be hospitalized for months, and at some point, it is most likely he who will have to give them the bitter news, admitting at present, he is clueless as to how this will be accomplished.

Mr. Sassoon spoke with the Mabat Channel 1 TV news in Israel as well as Kol Chai Radio, which directs its broadcasts to the chareidi tzibur. Above the pain and profound loss, he used the airtime to express his unshakable love and faith in HKBH, citing his tefilla that the loss, the death of his children will be a kapora for the Klall and he calls on the tzibur to exhibit an outpouring of love and achdus at this difficult hour.

This is in line with the words of the Sanzer Rebbe Shlita, who following the levayas in Eretz Yisrael instructed his chassidim to increase their limud Torah and Avodas Hashem, calling on the Klall to take a look inside, introspection towards a genuine cheshbon nefesh. This might be particularly true in Israel following elections, a process that highlighted that which separates the citizens of Israel.

He spoke of how the children are loved, and that his children are “tzelem Elokim” and HKBH is everything including in these holy korbanos. Gavriel explained to his radio audience this is why one makes the bracha “Dayan HaEmmes” upon hearing of tragic news, acknowledging we accept our fate.

When asked how he will find the inner strength to continue, he admits he cannot know what the coming days will be like, or sitting at the empty Shabbos table and even how he will fulfill the Pesach mitzvah of v’higadita l’vincha at the seder. Taking his grief beyond his own suffering, he expresses concerns for his wife Gayle and daughter Tziporah and how they will deal with the tragedy when they awaken as clearly they are unaware of what has transpired since the fire.

Gavriel speaks of the love he and his wife have for their children, and how they are both very hard working and that their entire lives surrounding the children.

Mr. Sassoon added that prior to leaving for Eretz Yisrael for the levayas Tziporah awakened briefly and immediately inquired into the well-being of her mom. He told her that she is being treated in a different hospital. She then asked about her siblings and he did not know how to respond.

Mr. Sassoon calls on Klall Yisrael to continue being mispallel for his wife, Gila bas Francis and his daughter, Tziporah bas Gila for a refuah shleima bsoch kol cholei am yisrael.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)