Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, the beloved directors of Chabad-Lubavitch of Mumbai, were killed during one of the worst terrorist attacks to strike India in recent memory.
558 Comments Posted
I can't express how sad I was in finding this story. While their seemed to be no shortage of information, this one point hadn't yet been confirmed yet, and I held out some hope for the Rabbi and his wife.
My thoughts are with their families.
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Oy Vey, may G-d avenge their blood. I am filled with a terrible sadness. May the Holtzbergs memories only be for a blessing and may their families, and all of us, be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. May we merit the coming of Mashiach very soon.
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This is a loss for all of us. Blessed be their memory.
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Dear family of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, and Rebbetzin Rivka Holtzberg, including dear sweet Moshe Tzvi,
I am so sorry for your loss and so sorry that these beautiful, giving individuals lost their lives. I feel close to the chabad family. My parents and I are less observant, but were immediately welcomed into a chabad shul over 20 yrs ago and pray there still.
May G-d bless your family with everything that you need to heal and go on. May Moshe's light continue to shine so bright, as I know your son and daughter's beautiful spirits live on in him
My deepest condolences,
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This is not news, this is old history. More dead unarmed Jews.
When I got married, everyone in the wedding party, including the Rabbi, had a concealed weapon.
Please learn from these and millions of our dead kin, arm yourselves!!!!
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Perhaps these two souls agreed to leave here in order that many of us could live and return to G-d. G-d bless their holy souls...we should each take advantage of each day G-d blesses us with and use it for His will. May we be mercifully redeemed...
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May G-d speed Jews' salvation, Amen!
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Looking at Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg's faces you can see the hope and optimism radiating out from their faces. Maybe a final tribute to them would be for me to stare into their gaze, and somehow absorb the goodness in humanity which they expressed, and to have them help me in this time of such sadness and despair. I have a feeling that is what they would want. God bless them and take care of them, and give strength to their beloved child....
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Last March, I was welcomed by the Rabbi and his wife for an entire shabbat as I was in Mumbai on a business trip.
They were the purest incarnation of selflessness, entirely dedicated to providing Jews of all horizons a home in Mumbai, a beacon of Jewish light.
I remember playing with their adorable son Moishe, the happiness and the warmth of their home. They made everybody feel comfortable, and their kindness had no limit.
G-d help their son, my thoughts and prayers go to their families.
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G-d counts each precious tear that we shed for the holy martyrs. These two precious holy people, who gave up their lives during their lives for the good of our nation, will now be in the chamber of the famous Ten Martyrs. May G-d avenge their blood and may our tears and prayers and the holy blood of their sacrifice bring Moshiach now, Amen.
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It must be a real emotional period for your Lubabitch Community, especially when one of youngest, purist and most innocent and beautiful children have been murdered in cold blood. Especially, when it occured immediatly after the Conference of Shiluchim.
May God, with the Rebbe at his side, look out for you all and bless your families, mutiply you and keep you stronger than ever on your mission of love and kindness.
Baruch Dayen Emes!
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We all mourn the loss of our fellow Jews in Mumbai. The rescue operation was so badly designed and performed that there was no chance of success. As a former Army NCO, I can say that if my men perfomed as the Indian troops did, I'd shoot them myself. And if they'd brought me a proposed ops plan like the one used, I'd transfer them to someplace they couldn't get anyone hurt, like postal clerk school.
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Words fail me at this senseless tragedy.
May G-d avenge their blood and may our tears and prayers and the holy blood of their sacrifice bring Moshiach now, Amen.
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May G-d avenge their blood
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Hello dear brothers and sisters. My heart cries out to the Living God of Isreal. My prayers are with all those who lost their loved ones and those who were in Mumbai. Be strong take courage and trust in the Lord. May God bless Isreal. Amen.
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I'm not even Jewish but my heart goes out to the family of this man who was just trying to share his beliefs with others in a non-violent way. The animals who did this, and those who share their beliefs, will pay for this.
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I send the most sincere love and light to the Rabbi and his Rivka on their travels to be with G-d.
My heart aches at the loss that their child must bear. May we hold all those lost in this tragedy in our hearts and pray for the lost souls who caused it.
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me and my whole family are deeplty hurt upon hearing the deaths of rabbi gabi and his wife rivka, over the past two years they have been teaching my family the laws of orthodox judaism, we have learnt so much from them, and people like them are truly sent by G*D and come once in a lifetime, we also pray for moshe their beloved son that he has a wonderful future ahead of him, we share with u in grief the losses of rabbi holtzberg and his wife rivka.
shalom
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Let me add my thoughts and wishes for the their families and friends. May how they lived outshine the tragedy of how they died.
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Since I first read about the Rabbi, his wife and child, I've prayed that they would make it out alive. My condolences to not only their immediate family, but also to the many people who were part of their extended one.
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Such a beautiful couple. My heart goes out to the Rabbi and his family. May your name live on forever and your sacrifice & dedication inspire others. G*d bless, little Moshe.
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Our heartfelt condolences to the family and Chabad community on the loss of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rebbetzin Rivka Holtzberg. Faith in G-d's wisdom and goodness will prevail over hate and senselessness.
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I am familiar with the wonderful work of Chabad in Toronto, Canada. That they appear in all corners of the world to help the Jewish nation is so amazing and loving..
So the death of the Hotzbergs, such a giving and outstanding couple, is all the more tragic and cruel.
May their families find strength and faith at this time. My heartfelt sympathy to all who are suffering now from this act of terrorism. .
Shabat Shalom.
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My sincerest condolences to their families and the families of all who were victims of these execrable crimes. May all rest in peace and consolation soon come upon those who they leave behind, especially Gavriel and Rivka's little Moishe.
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I am so very sorry to hear of the deaths of the Holtzbergs. They and their families, particularly their little boy, are in my thoughts and prayers. I have a little boy at home myself, so to imagine something like this...
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My family prays for the family and for all of you.
My hope is for justice to be brought to these butchers. Hopefully, my country's new presidential administration will be fully supportive of any actions needed, and be unwavering in it's support of Israel.
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My heart aches for the Holtzberg family. May their child be brought up with compassion and reconciliation in his heart. Bless the youngster's caregivers and know that G*d has the the Rabbi and Rebbetszin within his warm embrace.
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This is totally devastating. We send our most sincere condolences to the Holtzberg family and pray for for the capture of these disgusting terrorist cowards. May G-d punish ALL those who hate Israel and ALL those who sympathize with these cowards! Amen.
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Hi, I'm from Bangalore, India. I came here to mention that right now I'm feeling very bad for Moshe, the 2 year old son of the Holtzberg. It's not fair at all to inflict such a cruel wound on such an innocent life. I hope he finds peace with his grandparents in Israel and I hope Israel takes good care of him. Apologies and condolences on behalf of all Indians.
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It is with deep sorrow that I convey my condolences to the Chabad House, and the Holtzberg family for the tragic loss of Rabbi and Rebetzin Holztbeg.
Our hearts and prayers go out to them as is our deep appreciation for their selfless work, care and compassion,
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My deep sympaty and Condolences are with Chabad family all over the world . the victim families and the orpen son .
the rabi and his wife gave the ulimate price their life for the Love of G-D
my their soul will rest in peace .
ת.נ.צ.ב.ה
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Our condolences and prayers are with you.
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Sincerest condolences from Helsinki Finland
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Our heartfelt condolences to the family and Chabad community.
As a fellow indian, i am sorry. Indians are going to avenge this. 1 billion people are going to avenge this we promise.
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In what kind of world do we live, how do these things happen and why?
We will never understand how people do bad things without thinking about it.
It's sad to see this and how are our brothers are suffering.
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ברוך דיין האמת
May Hashem avenge their blood, and may He comfort the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem, and redeem us speedily in our days, amen.
Shabbat shalom.
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Our sincere condolences to the family and community of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rebbetzin Rivka Holtzberg. We extend our hearts to you today and to their son and his grandparents. We join you in choosing light to fill the darkness, oh that we could learn ourselves to do this.
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Sincerest sympathies to the Holtzbergs, especially their poor wee son, Moshe, and to all their relatives, friends and colleagues. The world does not need this; all religions should tolerate each other.
From a Gentile in UK.
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while the writers must be congratulated for this thoughful accout, i'm deeply disappointed that they failed to mention even in passing any of the other jews who were killed in the Chabad House. Religious or not, Chabad or other, Israeli or American, they all were Jews, and should be equally mourned after their tragic death.
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may G-d bless their souls may this tragecic event remind us once more to unite as fellow jews and continue to study torah and do mitzvas. As every jewish mother and daughter around the world light candles this sundown may we look at our spiritual flame and be reminded that we are G-d's chosen one and we will serve him forever, may moshiach come speedily.
shabbat shalom
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My heart mourns with you, the loss of your dear children. I am aghast at what has happened in Mumbai.
I respect all of the Rebbe's and their wives who lead the Chabad- I am a Christian woman from Canada- but my daughter in Israel converted Orthodox (Lubavitch) to marry a man from Israel. I was honored that she did this and Chabad was so very good to me there in Vancouver.
A community that welcomes and teaches- your son and daughter have , then, made many memories for the people around them and have left their mark on the world.
I will pray for you all-know that there are people as far away as I am that care about you and your small grandson. And may your children, of blessed memory, rest in peace. With Love,
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anyone who has ever interacted with chabad knows that these people live to give like no others i have ever known. their purity of spirit shines in their eyes, they don't judge you or preach to you they are simply there for you when you need it most.
may their son be blessed and live a life of joy, and may they rest peacefully.
the madmen who perpetrated this deed remind us all that as Jew's we need to be vigilant!
shalom
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May he comfort you with all Israel morners
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I´m neither Indian nor Jew, but my heart is feeled with saddness and sorrow....My heart is with their son and family...and pray that we can find some confort, amen
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we mourn this terrible loss and pray for the family and the world as it is
G-d help everyone
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As someone who has been shown much friendship and kindness in the past by the Lubavitch family.
Please, be not afraid.
Many blessings
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What was the "reason" given by the murderers for their crimes? I know- we all know- that there is no valid logical or religious reason for murder. But it might help to know what the murderers' stated reason(s) was/were.
May G-d's peace protect the victims' son, and receive the victims' souls.
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My prayers and sympathies go out to the rabbi, his wife, his family, and his friends. I have seen the great work of many rabbis and i am sure he just as good or better. I may have not known him, but for every jew that has their life taken, a part of me is also taken. Love to all.
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I just read of this tragic and senseless act upon your brother and sister. We are very sorry to hear of your great loss. We offer our prayers to you and our support. We're new to the Chabad since the High Holidays, but appreciated your warm services and your community-minded spirit. May g-d's hand go out to you and give you strength in your hour of need.
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I too am saddened by the loss of the Chabad rabbi and wife in India. It is a terrible tragedy, and few could be as innocent as the great people of Chabad.
It is, however, heartening, to see that in the midst of a situation where it would be so easy to answer hate with hate, the expressions here are of sorrow, not calls for revenge. Not expressions of hate. It makes me think that despite the horrors of individual deaths, the spirit of life will win in the end.
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May G-d avenge their blood.
May G-d keep safe all the Chabad emissaries, our brothers, all over the world and their families.
May G-d keep safe and strong 2 yr-old Moshe, their son.
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Watching events unfold in India I am numb with disbelief. The murders of so many people, the orphaning of at least one child. I struggle to believe that G-d takes the good and leaves the bad. What justice is served by this? Rebbe Gavi and Rivka sound such expectional people that I can't belive that their work was finished. I only hope that their families can take some comfort from their lives. I am sure that the amazing community of the Lubavitch will help in easing some of their pain. But are we back to the days of being scared because we are jewish. I pray not. My thoughts and prayers are with us all in these dark times.
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my condolences to the family of rabbi holtzberg & his wife, rivka, as well as to the chabad community. what a tragedy to lose two persons committed to helping others. my thoughts and prayers are with you. may their memories be honored.
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My heart is breaking with pain and am filled with deep tears by this tragic occurence.
Please god bring comfort to the rabbi and his wife's families and may their son be blessed with comfort , love and the knowledge that he is not alone...we are the nation of Israel, we cry together and we will stand together again!!
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Over the past few years I have come to know the Chabad movement, after moving from a richly Jewish area of the US to Texas. My initial trepidations have been quashed, not by bible thumping; rather through unending LOVE which Chabad has shown to not only Jews but to the rest of the world. Today, the world has decided to repay that kindness. Again, I turn to Chabad for solace, and am relieved to read the statements are not the emotional knee jerks I have felt; they are in fact utter LOVE for fellow Jew and man. If all of us can emulate only a fraction of Chabad, the world will surely be a better place.
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I was so shocked and saddened to hear about this tragedy. My prayers go out to their families. I lost my brother this February and Chabad was there for us to help us cope with our tragedy. If it wasn't for the people of Chabad and all the good that they do I don't know how my family would have coped. g-d bless Chabad and all the good they do for all the people they help and may Rabbi Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg rest in peace and thank you both for all the good work you did again rest in peace.
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This is tradegy beyond proportions.
This hits us deep in our hearts and souls and our prayers go out to their families.
A sad day in the life of every Jew.
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I cannot believe the tragedy of this event. I pray for their families and for us all as a people. I cannot even fathom what I'd do if I lost my rabbi and his wife, they are a cornerstone to our existance and continuance. God bless them and all who lost their lives in this unthinkable violence. May we one day find peace.
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My deepest condolences to the families of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and Rebbetzin Rivka Holtzberg; and the community of friends that loved them. This is a tragedy.
I hope that their son's life will be filled with good health and he is surrounded always by loving people.
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Please accept my condolences on the loss of those wonderful people. The work continues as a tribute to them.
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Pease take the nasty picture of the terrorist out of the article, there is no need to have his picture on the same page as this beautiful couple.
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To the whole Chabad family:
I send you my deepest condolences on the barbaric slaughter of Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzberg in Mumbai, India. I pray for your orphaned two year old son Moshe. I will not forget him, and I will not forget you either.
My heart goes out to your family in this time of horror and sorrow for the whole Jewish nation. The slaughter marks a loss for the whole Jewish nation. I stand with you in solidarity as a fellow Jew in mourning along with you.
With deepest sympathy,
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All of my prayers are with the families of all the innocent who lost their lives so needlessly. What a terrible tragedy. My prayers go out for their small son. My prayers go out to the entire community. What can one say in the face of such a tragedy? Jews all around the world will light their Shabbat candles tonight with heavy hearts...but we will light them. And we will remember them. And we will go on.
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Kindly add a prayer for me
Thank you
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Please don't just give us news. Tell us something, not to comfort us, but to reassure us.
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We in India sheltered the Jews and never prosecuted them while they faced horrors in the rest of the world. But today I feel bad that we could not be good host and save our guests from these monsters. A guest to us is like God and these terrorist went after the tourists knowing fully well that it could hurt the pride of any self respecting Indian.
Being a mother of two year old son, my heart bleeds for the little orphan child.
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While I too am Christian, I am praying for your lost members (and all others lost in this terrible incident) and their mission in India which seemed to be doing such positive things. I hope that their son finds a new home with relatives and with an appreciation for his parents' sacrifice, a clear path to his destiny.
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נשמתם עדן צרורה בצרור החיים עים שאר אחינו בית ישראל כאב לב ממש
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Why were our prayers unanswered? Why does a two year old have to celebrate his birthday tonight as an orphan?
Why do such people, committed to goodness, have to go so early?
When people like that are taken away, it is not only a boy who looses his parents, parents who are loosing their children, or siblings loosing their siblings. It is a loss for the whole world.
Our heart is with their family, specially Moshe.
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I am not Jewish, but a Christian in Oklahoma. My heart grieves for the families of Rabbi and his wife, Rivka, who gave their lives for others.
I pray for the chabad community, and all who were touched by the Holtzbergs, and especially for their precious son. Their legacy will live on in him and in the accomplishments they made in their work.
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My heart breaks for the youth who have died, serving Judaism.
They have lived and died in peace and innocence.
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The person who left the first comment has said all that I am feeling as the tears roll down my cheeks. I know we aren't supposed to mourn on Shabbat but how can we not cry for this innocent child's loss of his beloved parents and for his grandparents loss of their beloved children. Life and sometimes death are such mysteries.
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I'm deeply shocked what happened in Mumbai.
Chabad showed me what it means being Jewish...Chabad gave me so much and in today's world we know that terrorism exist, that people were killed who haven't done anything to anybody else....I was shocked after the first breaking news....and thought that this is another small terrorist attack....but now?
I don't know what I should say...but my thoughts and prayers are with Rebbe Gavi's family, the Chabad movement worldwide and the people who lost their beloved ones in the Mumbai massacre. And I still pray and hope that the people some day live in peace....together. Shabbat Shalom...we need it!
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My prayers go out to the young boy Moshe and the family of this young couple. They looked like such nice people, trying to do good things for people. India is such a warm, friendly country that invites people of all backgrounds and religions. It is such a shame that this violent, unprovoked attack happened in such a peaceful country as India.
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During our Thanksgiving Day we prayed for the best. We are devastated to hear of this outcome. We send our love and condolences to the families involved and the entire Jewish community.
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it brings me to tears to hear what happened. a man and his wife committed to judaism and trying to bring more people to the religion have to die like this. as much as it pains me to hear that they have passed on, it makes me happy to know that they died because they would not stop standing up for G-d and for the rest of the jewish people. May G-d bless them in heaven. Let's just hope that the moshiach comes soon and brings us out of this terrible mess. My thoughts and prayers are with the Holtzberg family.
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I am Indian. I am so sorry we could not protect you against these animals.
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I am overwhelmed with grief for the entire family and all of Israel. My praying this Shobbos will be with all of you in my mind and heart. This was a the ultimate sacrifice for these two wonderful Shluchim in a very scary world. Their souls are surely in Gan Edan for eternity. We pray for Mochiach NOW so that we will all be reunited with our loved ones!
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Why is it that a couple who are just doing good in this world are cut down like weeds without any thought. All these animals did was to kill a little bit of us all.
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I am shocked to see that Rabbi and his wife are killed.I pray to G-D that their child has a good future and be blessed.
We Indians will take revenge for their death.
We will not leave terrorists who killed innocent and good people like Rabbi and his wife.Persons behind the attack will pay price for this.
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I wonder what kind of religion is the one that teaches people such hatred of "infidels"...This poor family was doing nothing bad,and they were murdered just because they were jews!
It doesn't even seem the murderers and the victims believe in the same God,considered their opposite way of serving Him!
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The loss of the Holtzbergs feel like the loss of our own family members. We need so many more people like them.
I am sure we all feel that way today. Such acts of pure evil, hurt the entire Jewish people, we all feel like a little part of us, died with them as well...
Somehow we are all related, especially when awful events target some of us...
The Holtzbergs family, their little boy and all the other victims.
Let's not be angry at all Muslims, because of the acts of some who do not even realize they are making all the other Muslims look so bad.
It would be unfair and we will not be better than the terrorists.As Jews, we know better.
We all have to concentrate now, in becoming better people. We owe this to Rabbi Holtzberg, his wife Rivka and all their friends...
Let's all enjoy this coming Shabbat, the best way we can during this painful day.
For them....
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Could it be that we Jews as a people have sinned against G-d’s commandment that we were to be a Nation? Not a Diaspora, but a Nation. Have we become not only disparate, that by G-d’s command we are now desperate?
Have we forsaken a command we did not understand? Should we all be in Israel? I do not know, but what I do know is that we are being murdered by the very people who live not by G-d’s words.
Where do we go from here? We pray, of course, but is that enough when we see this ravenous creature destroying us handful by handful? What have we done except (as 1/4th of 1% of the human race) given science, peace, philosophy, Nobel Prizes and love to the world in a proportion far greater than our numbers?
All Jews cannot move to Israel. We have work to do elsewhere. But our survival is at stake, and as G-d has promised us, we will flourish in the land He promised us. Let us not only pray for His help, but fight as He has commanded us so many times before.
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My heart is heavy with the news. Surely they will live on in Moshe. Bless him.
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I never light Shabbat candles, but I will light them tonight. It breaks my heart to see the photographs of that young couple.
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I would like to know why there was absolutely no security at site where the terrorist caused the death of the Rabbi his wife and 5 Israelis? if there had been security the terrorists might not have struck there or been so successful. I want to know what chabad is going to do in future about all there other locations outside of united States and Israel about putting security in place in form of metal detectors and armed guards. The time to do this is now before G-D forbid it happens again.
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Even as a student of Kabbalah I am numb and at a complete loss over this atrocious and senseless slaughter. I too prayed and scanned last night for the Holtzbergs; and I am trying hard to understand while all of our prayers went unanswered. But I am certain that we have to continue forward on this path, and not let this derail us from purging chaos from the world. May little Moshe still celebrate his birthday, and always feel his parents right there with him.
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The religion of peace strikes again.
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I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of Rabbi and Rivka Holtzberg. Every time I look at the pictures of this sweet, gentle couple, and their baby, I break into tears. However, it's clear that they were greatly loved and will not be forgotten.
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I have big heart for Israel. I have lived there and I know the Jewish people. I am very sad about this incident. My heartfelt condolence to the rabbi’s family. I am sure god will bless Mosha with lot of blessings.
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I have a 2yr old baby girl. I think of how strong my wife's and my love is for her. I am sure their love was equally strong for Moshe. He needs to be told that every day and I am sure he will. I am not of any denomination - however I am very spiritual. Our prayers are with the entire family and everyone in the community and world affected by this tragedy. I can't imagine anything worse happening to such good people. My heart TRULY feels like there has been a hole put in it from this story. Stay strong. I know this is not the time and place but I am outraged by this. I know it is anger and violence that caused this so I try to bury it; yet I am only human. I am SO sad for everyone involved.
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As a Christian, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies and prayers for the Hotlzberg family and all who loved them. May God grant them eternal peace and provide their child with the grace and love to know happiness despite this dreadful atrocity.
May all people of faith, goodwill, and compassion join in solemn covenant to stand against such mindless barbarity and sinful crulety. May the memory of the Holtzbergs and other martyrs inspire them to determined courage to resist hatred and violence.
The only power that can overcome the depth of human sin, as the height of divine grace and justice. Masy we all become vessels of thst grace.
Shalom
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My condolences to the two surviving children, and all the family and friends of these good people, who were senselessly taken from this world. I find it impossible to forgive the barbarians who commited this atrocity. May God watch over these little boys.
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We are all so saddened by this horrible tragedy to your family. We know the work they accomplished and their dedication to the Jewish Nation. May their children grow to emulate their parents and may you know no more sorrow and be comforted by the mourners of Zion and Yerushalyim.
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My condolences go out to these two strong individuals who their faith ahead of themselves. My heart is filled with grief and my heart goes out to all affected.
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My most heartfelt sympathies to the family of the slain Rabbi and his wife.
There are no words to describe the outrage felt at this terrible loss.
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