Remember Them, Too

David, Dr. Jeff, and Menachem remind us that today, the 20th of Sivan, was observed as a day of fasting and mourning in Europe for many centuries.

More recently (24 years ago), it was the date of the Battle of Sultan Yaqoub in Lebanon, during which three Israeli yeshiva student/soldiers were captured. There fates are still unknown. Perhaps those who still say selichot today can add this one. The tragedy of the 20th of Sivan lives on.

כה אמר יהוה, קול ברמה נשמע נהי בכי תמרורים--רחל, מבכה על-בניה; מאנה להנחם על-בניה, כי איננו. כה אמר יהוה, מנעי קולך מבכי, ועיניך, מדמעה: כי יש שכר לפעלתך נאם-יהוה, ושבו מארץ אויב. ויש-תקוה לאחריתך, נאם-יהוה; ושבו בנים, לגבולם

Thus saith the LORD: A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children; she refuseth to be comforted for her children, because they are not. Thus saith the LORD: Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears; for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. And there is hope for thy future, saith the LORD; and thy children shall return to their own border
-Jeremiah 31:14-16