The accepted protocol when speaking at a funeral is to praise the deceased’s achievements and overlook any negative traits.

Additionally, when faced with delivering a political “eulogy” on the retirement or resignation of a politician and political leader, can one honestly extol the virtues of the individual when everyone knows that his/her accomplishments have been disastrous?

What are we to make of eulogies recited for the Jewish People collectively over the millennia and right up to this current time?

These questions take on an added significance as we survey the unfolding dramas from near and far and as we prepare to face the latest machinations of today’s Jew/Israel/Zionist haters.

When the late Iranian President was killed in a helicopter crash, the eulogies flowed thick and fast. One could safely ignore the tributes emanating from fellow terror allies as standard hypocritical utterances. It was the tear-jerking sycophantic expressions of grief from the likes of the EU and representatives of democratic countries that gained first prize for double standards.

Here was a politician responsible for carrying out the worst crimes on behalf of his glorious leader, being eulogized as though he was some sort of saint.

It naturally followed therefore that when his successor was “elected” or should we say “anointed” the world media and the same international hypocrites would once again break into hymns of praise. Describing the new President as a “moderate” when he clearly endorsed the genocidal aims of his spiritual superior is the height of absurdity. The fact that most of the international community can willingly endorse this farce shows how low matters have fallen.

The EU sent a representative to the swearing-in ceremony in Tehran. No doubt he issued expressions of admiration as he hobnobbed with representatives of such enlightened human rights champions as Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, Palestinian Authority, Russia, China and North Korea. Trying to escape obvious embarrassment, the EU issued a statement saying that its representation was not political but only diplomatic. This pathetic distinction only fooled those gullible enough to be oblivious of reality.

Once again, the Irish managed to prove that they are the gold medal winners of stupidity. The Irish President forwarded a gushing letter to the new Iranian President praising Iran’s role in the “struggle for peace.” Where he got this piece of fiction from is anyone’s guess but perhaps after a few bottles of Guinness his faculties became befuddled.

The big news, of course, was the dispatch of Hamas’s leader to martyrs’ heaven, where virgins await. Speculation will percolate for a long time as to how this was achieved and exactly by whom. Various theories abound, and no doubt, one day, all might be revealed in either a biographical revelation or a blockbuster movie.

Anyone associated with the murder and kidnapping of Israeli men, women, children and babies is guaranteed to have an early expiry date. It should, therefore, not have come as a surprise that a premature retirement occurred. The real embarrassment for the Iranians is that it happened while they hosted this arch-terrorist and just after he paid his respects to the new President and the “Supreme leader.”

Adding to this early exit was the news that other top terrorists, including the second in command of Hezbollah, were likewise eliminated in Beirut.

What followed was entirely predictable.

Eulogies for the deceased terror masterminds poured forth in tsunami-like torrents. The usual suspects excelled in their rhetoric concerning the saint-like attributes of the departed. No surprises about that. The media excelled in reporting the “pragmatic” and “moderate” qualities of individuals whose hands were tainted with the blood of murdered Israeli civilians and who plotted every hour of their miserable lives on how to murder even more.

Equally nauseous have been the forked tongue pronouncements of representatives from democratic nations.

The Guardian reported that Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Minister, stated that “the Australian Government is increasingly alarmed at Israel’s troubling pattern of behaviour.”  Meanwhile, Biden is upset that removing terror instigators complicates his “peace” efforts. His ambassador to Qatar praised its “role in maintaining peace and security.” It was reported by JNS that a Qatari official told the Arab League, “Jewish People are slayers of prophets and Judaism only accepts one thing – killing.” Qatar is the safe haven for Hamas as is Turkey.

Joe Biden’s decision to “retire” has unleashed “eulogies” from Israeli leaders and media.

President Herzog described Biden as the symbol of the unbreakable bond between the USA and Israel and the best friend Israel ever had.

PM Netanyahu embraced him as an “Irish Zionist.”

The Jerusalem Post editorialized that Biden is a Zionist at heart and that his support of Israel will never be forgotten.

Denying Israel weapons and telling our PM not to speak “bullshit” is not exactly a sign of friendship and solidarity. According to news reports, the US Administration has warned Israel that the (non-existent) coalition demands that any response to an Iranian missile barrage be limited in scope. In their words “don’t push it.”  In plain English this clearly means that the USA has no intention of tackling Iranian genocidal ambitions and will not back Israel when it retaliates.

Are these manifestations of a best friend?

I wish that we had another Menachem Begin who in 1972 responded to Senator Biden when he threatened to cut off aid to Israel.

“Don’t threaten us with cutting off your aid. It will not work. I am not a Jew with trembling knees. I am a proud Jew with 3,700 years of civilized history. Nobody came to our aid when we were dying in the gas chambers and ovens. Nobody came to our aid when were striving to create our country. We paid for it. We fought for it. We died for it. We will stand by our principles. We will defend them. When necessary we will die for them again, with or without your aid.”

 Biden banged on the table with his fist. Begin retorted:

“This desk is designed for writing not fists. Don’t threaten us with slashing aid. We are grateful for the assistance we have received but we are not to be threatened.”

 Instead of sycophantic eulogies we could do with some honest rhetoric instead.         

The Iranian Ambassador to Australia revealed his country’s true agenda in a tweet in which he proclaimed: “wipe out the Zionists from Palestinian holy lands. I am looking forward to such a heavenly and divine promise.”  The Australian Government’s response was to call in the ambassador for a reprimand with a slap on the wrist with a wet rag. Penny Wong said that his remarks “do not represent Australia.” Of course they don’t – they represent Iran’s ambitions. How about sending the ambassador packing or is that too provocative?

Over the long and tortuous course of Jewish history, there have been many occasions when the rest of the world has issued eulogies for murdered Jews. In fact, eulogizing dead Jews has become a fashionable pastime. It followed the destruction of both Temples and exile after inquisitions, pogroms, expulsions, exclusions, theological revisionist denials of Judaism’s authenticity and, of course, the Shoah. In each situation, Jews as a people and faith were written off as eternal victims, unworthy of being saved and beyond redemption. In more recent times those who could have prevented tragedy and didn’t, assuage their guilty feelings by engaging in eulogies at ceremonial gatherings.

As we currently face another existential threat to our existence, there are some who are already preparing to eulogize us. Instead of helping to crush those planning another round of genocidal terror, Jew haters and self loathers alike are busy undermining Israel.

Haman of ancient Persia tried this once before. He and his supporters were dispatched before they could carry out their nefarious plans.

The same fate awaits today’s plotters.

The time is long overdue when politically correct apologetics are replaced by forthright articulation of truths.

Our custom is to read Parshat Devarim right before Tisha B’av. One of the reasons for this custom can be seen through the word “Eicha” which is used sparingly throughout the Tanach. The Book of Lamentations which is read on Tisha B’av begins with this word. “Eicha Yashva Badad”, how has she (i.e. Jerusalem) sat alone, and is thus known as Megillat Eicha. The first time this word is used in the Chumash is found in our Parsha (Devarim 1:12) as Moshe expresses doubt in his ability to lead the nation: “Eicha Esa L’vadi”, how can I bear the burden alone.

We continue this linguistic connection with our choice of HafTorah, Divrei Yeshayahua (Isaiah 1:21), where we meet up with this expression once again. We echo the words of the prophet, as in response to the rampant corruption of his time, Yesha’ayahu bitterly laments: “Eicha Hai’ta L’zona Kirya Ne’emana”, how has this loyal city become like a harlot.

Rav Soloveitchik (M’Pninei HaRav pg. 316) points out that this same word, albeit with a different pronunciation, can be found in the Torah in one previous location.

In Parshat Bereishit, after Adam and Eve had partaken from the tree of knowledge and hidden themselves in shame, the Almighty calls out saying: “Ayeka- where art thou?” (Bereishit 3:8).

The Rav made the following comment: If the hopeful call of Ayeka is not heeded, it then has the potential of becoming transformed into the bitter lamentation of Eicha.

The verse describes how G-d calls out to Adam as he walked in the garden “Leruach Hayom”, and the Midrash (Bereishit Rabba 19:6) discusses whether this takes place at sunrise or sunset. Demonstrating his homiletic prowess, the Rav explained that Ruach Ha’yom, the Zeitgeist surrounding us, can be interpreted as G-d calling out to man- Ayeka! This can take place at either sunrise or sunset, at a time of new beginnings and of hope, or else of failure and despair.

Towards the beginning of the Emancipation, as freedom was extended to all, liberalization was the call of the hour. It was as if a new light had begun to shine on Jewry. And yet, when G-d appeared to ask “Ayeka”, Jews hid from Him – after all, they were now emancipated. Later on, during the period of World War II, a bleak sunset of darkness and calamity, G-d’s cry to mankind was heard again: Ayeka – where art thou. Again, there was no response to G-d’s call, and in lieu of Ayeka the terrible ramifications of “Eicha” were experienced.

Wanting to give this Midrash an Eretz Yisrael spin, we might say the following:

On the eve of the 9th of Av as the spies instilled fear in the hearts of the People of Israel, they began to sob bitterly. Our Sages (Taanit 29a) say that the nation cried that night. The Almighty then had occasion to say, “You cry for naught; needlessly. The time will come when you will have a good reason to cry… (this will be as you witness) the destruction of the Temple”. Night and darkness befell the Jewish people then, just as it did in the 1930’s and 40’s. Did not the expulsion from Spain occur around the 9th of Av? Did not the first World War commence on this day? The Almighty was crying out to the Jewish People: “Ayeka- I am waiting for you in Eretz Yisrael”. Alas, most of the Jewish people were hiding in the Diaspora, refusing to leave.

Rav Teichtel in his “Eim Habanim Semaicha” perceived a direct link between the peoples’ refusal to leave to Eretz Yisrael and the imminent Holocaust. The Ayeka was tragically transformed into Eicha. Now, seventy years later, we are experiencing a period of sunrise as we bask in the light of Hashem’s Chesed. A younger generation has arisen in the Diaspora- a generation who knew not the trauma of the Holocaust. In our Parsha, Moshe stands before such a younger generation, far removed from their parents’ aversion to Eretz Yisrael. Moshe reminds them of the sins of their fathers, beseeching them to not repeat their elders’ mistakes: “Yet you would not go up, but rebelled against the Commandment of the Lord your G-d”, Devarim 1:26-27.

Our present generation is being beckoned as well, we too are being beseeched: “Come home and atone for the sins of your forefathers – Ayeka – where are you?” They couldn’t, or wouldn’t, make Aliyah; you can and should!  We must not rebel, we must go up!

RABBI YERACHMIEL RONESS was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. After serving as a congregational Rabbi and as a Hillel Director in New York City, he made Aliyah in 1983 with his wife Dina and their five young children.

Ever since, Rabbi Roness has dedicated his life to promoting Aliyah. First, as Rabbi of the Jewish Agency’s Absorption Centers, and subsequently as the executive director of the Aloh-Naaleh organization.

This article was taken from Rabbi Roness’s new book: Aloh Na’aleh – Eretz Yisrael and Aliyah in the Weekly Parshah.

 The book is for sale on Amazon.