Talking to Children about Terror

by Miriam Metzinger | More from this Blogger

25 Jul 2008 06:19 AM

It happened again this week. I didn't believe it yet again, although I was writing an article about the first bulldozer attack in Jerusalem that happened last week. Thank G-d, there were no casualties or major injuries this time, but the repeat performance of the shocking event I am sure compounded the traumas many already have and only brings home the fact that we in the Land of Israel are vulnerable.

Some people commented that this was kind of a message to Barack Obama, but what kind of message? Wouldn't they instead try to plead their case, be on their best behavior and try to get his support? Why another murderous attack as an attempt to prove a point? I don't like explaining the actions of terrorists, any more than I would fancy justifying the actions of a rapist or a mass murderer (I should say another type of mass murderer). I have two children, almost 5 and almost 2. Obviously, the youngest has no inkling of what is going on, in terms of terror attacks, but my oldest and I have discussed it. When I was single, I didn't imagine discussing terror with a child as young as five, but the reality is, that Jewish children are actually prepared to discuss these things. Think about the most joyful holiday of the year, and one that is most associated with children's celebrations - Purim. What is the story behind Purim? A madman wanted to destroy all the Jews, but failed to, and ended up suffering the fate he had decreed on others. What do we say in the Haggadah on Passover? "Every generation, they rise up to destroy us." So Jewish children are already prepared for the notion that there are those who wish us ill, to put it mildly, and may be ready at an earlier age to discuss these things.

In fact, I use the verse from the haggadah when explaining this to my son. "In every generation, there are groups of people who don't like Jews and want to try to destroy us." But G-d does give us hope, with every prophecy of doom in the Bible, there is always a promise of redemption. I remind him that we are also told to wait for the coming of the Jewish Messiah every day (this is written in the work of the Rambam) and not to lose faith. By doing more mitzvos (commandments) and acts of kindness, we can bring the era of the Messiah closer.

Learn more about Miriam Metzinger

Miriam is a freelance writer, a work-at-home mom and lives in Jerusalem with her two sons, Schneur Zalman (3), Yosef Yitzchak (6 months and counting) and her husband, Yehoshua, who is a rabbi and i...

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