Shabbat Prayers: Rabbi Samson R Hirsch: Av haRachamim

The 9th of Iyar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yitzchak Bernays (Barneis) (1792-1849), teacher of Rav Shamshon Rafael Hirsch: And it is written by the hand of Your servants, the prophets: What ever else I may have forgiven, I have not forgiven the shedding of their blood, and God still dwells in Zion.” And it is said in the Holy Writings: “Why should the nations say, ‘Where is their God?’ Let Him be recognized among the nations before our eyes, as vengeance for the blood of Your servants that has been shed.”

The thought here is: “If the descendents of those who failed to recognize the God of Jewish truth and who slaughtered His servants will be made to witness the survival and the eventual deliverance of the succeeding generations of Israel whom the martyrs had inspired by their own glorious example to remain faithful and of good courage, that will be atonement for the blood of Your servants.

“If, witnessing Israel’s survival and redemption, the nations will acquire a better understanding and eventually recognize Jewish truth, then those who were innocently slaughtered will not have died in vain.”