Defense Minister Ehud Barak took part Thursday night in the completion and dedication of eight new Torah scrolls written in honor of fallen IDF soldiers and victims of terrorism. In his speech for the occasion, Barak declared that 
Barak was honored with writing the last letter in one of the Torah scrolls.
the State of Israel achieved unprecedented accomplishments because it is firmly rooted in Jewish tradition.
The Torah dedications took place at Netiv Arieh Yeshiva, located alongside the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. Barak was honored with writing the last letter in one of the Torah scrolls, as is tradition at such dedications.
In addition to the Defense Minister and the families of the fallen, the event was attended by former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, Tel Aviv-Jaffa Chief Rabbi and former Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau, Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski, Chief Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, Dean of Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva, Rabbi Yaakov Shapira, Dean of the Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva High School, Rabbi Yerachmiel Weiss, and others.
In his comments to the assembled families, rabbis and others, Defense Minister Barak said that the writing of the eight Torah scrolls "links three holy aspects: the holiness of the Torah, the holiness of this site - the Western Wall, a remnant of the retaining wall of our holy Temple - and the holiness of the pure souls of the six fallen IDF soldiers and the eight terror victims from Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva. There is no doubt that immortalizing these precious departed, may God avenge their blood, by way of Torah scrolls written in their memory and for the elevation of their souls is the most correct and beautiful Jewish way to do so. May this be even a small comfort for the mourning families...."
Linking the national and individual in Israel, Barak continued:
"The State of Israel is marking 60 years since its establishment. Since it was founded, it has withstood existential challenges, wars and terror attacks, and through it all it absorbed mass immigration from the East and from the West, and created a model state protected by the wall of its citizen-soldiers. At the core of this achievement, unprecedented in the annals of the nations, was and is the spiritual wellspring, the traditions of our forefathers, and the strong connection between the nation and its homeland. These constitute the powerful 'added value' that made it possible for Zionism and for the State of Israel to overcome every enemy, to negotiate every stumbling block, and to successfully face every challenge.
"This spiritual wellspring is also the source of strength for the families of the fallen, of which, unfortunately, there are a large and growing number. We are doing all we can, with determination and careful consideration, so that the number does not grow any more."
Later in his address, the Defense Minister said, "This holy place represents the eternal connection between our people and Jerusalem and that which is sacred. This connection brought us back here from the four corners of the world, and that connection, along with our power, ensure for eternity our existence and our future as a Jewish nation and state."
Seeking Peace in a Hostile Environment
"The Jewish people seeks peace," Defense Minister Barak declared. "We are loyal in our aspirations and in our policies to the ancient commandment, 'Seek peace and pursue it.' But we live in the heart of a hostile environment, that still hosts very many who don't want peace with us, who do not accept our presence here as an irreversible
As to the Iranian threat, Barak merely quoted a statement by the sages of ancient Israel, as recorded in the Mishna: "Say little and do much."fact, forever. We will do all in our power to promote peace with those prepared to make true peace with us, the peace of the brave, and, at the same time, to fully protect our lives and our security."
Barak took the opportunity to praise the IDF and the General Security Services for their ongoing counterterrorism operations. He also noted that much has been done, but there remains much work yet to be done, to improve the preparedness of the military and homefront defense.
As for the Iranian threat, Barak merely quoted a statement by the sages of ancient Israel, as recorded in the Mishna: "Say little and do much."
Barak concluded by saying that even as we sit down to our Passover meals we should recall the fallen soldiers, the victims of terrorism, their families, as well as the wounded and those held hostage by enemy forces.
The eight scrolls dedicated Thrusday night - including one written in memory of the eight yeshiva students murdered by an Arab terrorist at Mercaz HaRav Yeshiva - were donated by Ira and Ingaborg Rennert, New York-based philanthropists. As of 2007, it was reported that the Rennerts had donated 160 scrolls to Israeli communities.