Herzog at the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva
Herzog at the Mercaz Harav YeshivaNo credit

Opposition leader MK Yitzhak Herzog (Zionist Union) on Monday evening participated in the reading of the scroll of Eicha (Lamentations) at the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva in Jerusalem. Accompanying him were his brother and son. Herzog's late grandfather was Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi Isaac Herzog and his late grandmother, Rabbanit Sarah Herzog, was the founder of World Emunah.

“The Gemara says that the First Temple was destroyed because of idolatry, incest and bloodshed, while the Second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred. At a time when the winds of baseless hatred and division are blowing, it is important that we remember why our Temple was destroyed,” said Herzog.

“The criticism, the unwillingness to listen and the feeling that everyone is sure he knows everything have brought terrible disasters to our people over and over again.”

“Nine years ago, a despicable terrorist entered the yeshiva and murdered eight students. This evening, one of the yeshiva students who were here at the time of that attack accompanied us and showed us the path taken by the terrorist, including the library where most of the massacre took place until the terrorist was killed. Even today, Israel is dealing with serious terror that exacts the lives of dear citizens. These are our lives. We must not give in and we must not lose our humanity. This is the source of our strength and the strength of the IDF,” continued Herzog.

“At a time when the State of Israel faces significant challenges, we must concentrate on what unites us as a people. Our strength has always been in our unity. Even in the midst of a legitimate debate, painful and tearing as it may be, we must act for mutual responsibility and baseless love within us.”

“Baseless hatred is the 'profane fire' (a biblical term, Numbers 3, ed.) that threatens to gnaw at us from within. The lesson of Tisha B’Av teaches us how much it is forbidden to let it burn. This message must be internalized when we remember and recall the destruction of the Temple,” he concluded.