Dear Friend,
For my grandparents’ generation, it was Dec. 7, 1941 (Pearl Harbor); for my parents’ generation, it was Nov. 22, 1963 (the assassination of JFK); and for my generation, it was Sept. 11, 2001.
Ask anyone, and they can probably tell you where they were and what they were doing when the heard the news. (I was in yeshivah in Brooklyn, having just studied a challenging chassidic text, and was able to see the burning towers from the windows of the study hall.)
It was a painful and shocking moment, never to be forgotten.
I remember that afternoon. The streets were eerily still, and people stood outside in small groups. Police officers, men in do-rags and yeshivah students shared wild rumors and projections, bound by a common fear of the unknown. In other neighborhoods, people set up free refreshment stands for those trekking home from Manhattan.
We were all under attack together, and we felt it.
With time, the unity, patriotism and pride that we felt on that day dissipated. The radio turned back to its regular programming, Wall Street reopened, and life continued as usual.
Let us honor the lives of the 2,977 victims by recreating the oneness that resulted from that tragic day. Reach out in friendship, and the world will become a better place.
Menachem Posner,
on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial team
P.S.: We are now in the introspective month of Elul. What Elul message do you take from the events of 9/11?
Muhammad, I think that your intentions are commendable, but why didn't you question the Mulla who is preaching hatred by stating that, "the Christians and Jews are our enemy"? What proof can he give to prove that his statement is correct?
I am an American Jew, whose second country is Israel. Both countries are made up of hard working, peace loving people. As a Jew I am taught to love my fellow man, and do things that would help them, without expecting anything in return.
Most of my friends are Christians, believing that Jesus Christ is the savior. I do not share that belief with them, but that does not interfere with our feelings of love and respect for each other. I have gone to Church with them, and I only heard words of love.
Unfortunately, as stated by you, and known previously, your religion goes beyond hating, and teaches killing.
It is up to you and other Muslims to challenge the Mulla and his teachings. We should respect each other, and work together for our mutual good