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‘This is a Test of My Faith’: Father of West Bank Massacre Victim Gives Emotional Interview

On Sunday, Rabbi Yehuda Ben-Yishai eulogized his daughter, Ruth Fogel and her family members who were brutally murdered in their sleep Friday during an attack on their West Bank settlement home by Palestinian militants. Left at the grisly murder scene were the lifeless bodies of Rabbi Ben-Yishai’s daughter Ruth, her husband and three of their children, all stabbed to death.

This is a Test of My Faith: Father of West Bank Massacre Victim Gives Emotional Interview

Thousands of Israelis gathered to bid farewell to the family Sunday at the Har Hamenuhot Cemetery in Jerusalem. Their murders have galvanized the Israeli people and the government has pledged to continue the construction of new settlements in the West Bank.

During a radio interview Monday, Yehuda “taught a lesson of faith and strengthened the People of Israel,” Arutz Sheva, the Israeli National News, reports.

His inspiring remarks on Voice of Israel government radio stunned the interviewer into near silence and brought tears to her eyes.

After Rabbi Ben-Yishai expressed deep pain but no anger or calls for vengeance, interviewer Estie Perez, who has described herself as a secular Jew, asked, “Where do you have the strength and restraint that you can talk now and strengthen us, without anger and without calling for vengeance – that is not in your voice? Where is the strength from?”

Rabbi Ben-Yishai answered, “I have worked in education many years, and as an educator, I try to strengthen and teach people faith. I understand that I cannot be satisfied with words and that I also must implement the same principles on which I have educated others. This is a test of my faith, and therefore I agreed to be interviewed.”

“I believe in the country, in our strength and in the strength of the army, and I ask how did this strength not save our children?”

Rabbi Ben-Yishai said Monday morning that he asked the oldest surviving children, 12-year-old Tamar and eight-year-old Ro’i, if they wanted to say the Kaddish prayer, recited by mourners and expressing their faith in the Creator.  “They answered, ‘Of course. They are our parents, brothers and sisters.’” The mourning father and grandfather told Voice of Israel government radio, “They understand.”

He said, “We [the grandparents] will take upon ourselves the difficult task and pave for them the path so that life will be victorious.”

“Their mother and father will pray for them from the Heavens, their grandfathers and grandmothers will give them a lot of love, and the People of Israel will hug them and encourage them to grow and continue in the path of their parents.”

Rabbi Ben-Yishai said that the only thing he regrets is that he did not tell his daughter Ruth and his grandchildren enough times, “I love you. I love you.” He added, “If I could go back in time, I would say so every five minutes, but that would not be enough.”

The rabbi also revealed that police had tried to reach him to inform him of the attack, but he was out of town. “The Creator was kind to us” by his not having to bear the bad news on the holy Sabbath, he said. “Our daughter called after Shabbat, assuming we already knew.”

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke with Rabbi Ben-Yishai by telephone and visited him Sunday morning. “He felt great sorrow and said that the entire People of Israel are part of the sorrow. We hugged each other.”

Comments (89)

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  • Marylou7
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 10:23pm

    This man is a far better person than I am. A true man of God, the one and only God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

    Report Post » Marylou7  
  • nobammy
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:42pm

    There is one true justice… God! He will see to it these monsters pay for what they did to this family and His precious children. Until then, may we all pray for this family as they cope with this tragedy. These evil beings will eternally pay for what they did… May God be with Israel and this family!

    Report Post » nobammy  
  • angelcat
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:40pm

    My heart goes out to this man! I admire his ability to try to forgive. He is truly a man of character who has a love for God. His attitude shines the light on the evil and ugliness of murder for religion. What a beautiful family he had. It makes me cry to look at those innocent children who did nothing to deserve their death.

    Report Post »  
  • Shane the Golden
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:34pm

    The religion of Peace and Love, Islam, strikes again. Who could worship a god that incites such violence on the innocent?

    Report Post » Shane the Golden  
  • martinez012577
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:30pm

    “When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess” (Numbers 33:51-53)

    Isreal will not be free until they follow gods words. Yes this sounds harsh, but its the way it has to be. You cannot deal in human ways with animals. The only thing these people understand is death. Israel needs to not worry about the politcally correct thing to do or even worry with what the united states thinks.

    If Israel gives a one month notice, helps move and even helps pay for moves of the palestinans. After the eviction give gods plan ago.

    Report Post » martinez012577  
  • rosarry
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:14pm

    Thank you for posting this. The USA and British media seem to have made it a non-story. BBC even spent more time harping on the settlement argument and seemed to imply that this was the justification for this horrendous, cowardly act. The original assassins were Arabs, they practiced their trade in the dark.

    Report Post »  
  • flagbearer
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:12pm

    We cannot understand horrors such as this one. It IS a test of faith, and I wonder if I could be as strong as this rabbi. Why is there so much evil in the world? With all our knowledge and technology, we haven’t learned a thing since time began, or so it seems.

    Report Post »  
  • TerryDo
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:05pm

    o CatB
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:24pm
    Exactly … what must Isreal be thinking … with the way Obama has treated them … they know, I am sure, that they are on their own … I pray for them.
    Where is Obama BTW .. anyone check the golf course or is it concert night ? He certainly isn’t leading .. he is hiding … while the world is blowing up around us.
    **********************************

    “Where is Obama BTW..”

    Don’t you know yet CatB, Obama is just the front man, an empty suit. The real potentate known as the Wizard of (Oz) Washington is behind the curtain controlling the economy, foreign policy and the MSM, internet and all forms of communications.

    So Obama’s asked The Wizard, but what do I have to do as your front man?

    Not much replied The Wizard, read speeches prepared for you on a teleprompter, go on vacations, play golf and create Czars for any of our favourite causes. And if they try to give you grief about the economy and policies, just play the race card. And best of all Obama, always act cool and strut up and down an airplane like you’re ready to jog; your followers will go all gaga.

    Long Live Israel!

    Report Post »  
  • raspberrytea
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:00pm

    Someday… God will take care of this evil.

    Report Post »  
  • justice
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:59pm

    God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can. And the wisdom to know the difference. Amen. Pray for peace and love and harmony.

    Report Post »  
  • FactOrFiction
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:58pm

    My condolences to the Fogel family and relatives. Even though the enemies of Israel are preparing for war, they will never triumph. The true God, I AM, stands with them!

    Ezekiel 25:14
    And I will lay my vengeance upon Edom by the hand of my people Israel: and they shall do in Edom according to mine anger and according to my fury; and they shall know my vengeance, saith the Lord GOD.

    Report Post » FactOrFiction  
  • jordy2010
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:52pm

    What an admirable grandfather…………”vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord”…………. nuff said…….

    Report Post » jordy2010  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:47pm

    Glenn Beck and the Blaze thank you for telling this story because noone else did.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
  • valarie
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:44pm

    This Man is a MAN above ALL. I love you, Brother. You and your family are in my prayers. There are no other words…

    Report Post » valarie  
  • SilentReader
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:44pm

    It is sad they they see our strength as weakness. It is anything but. It takes much more courage, in the face of wanting to take revenge, to remain who you are.

    This is the dichotomy of the human race. Do we fight back and change who we are, or do we seek revenge on those who will massacre whole families and little children in cold blood?

    Our Western Civilization and freedom has always hinged on revering life and individual freedom. The Israelis, having suffered centuries of injustices, have embodied it.

    God bless this family.

    Report Post » SilentReader  
    • My Sacred Honor
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:53pm

      God alone has the final say, But in my opinion, I’d rather see these animals slaughtered so God will have His audience faster.
      Clear the docket for Armageddon, you might say…

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
  • santramir
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:31pm

    Oh Lord please let us know how come we still live and die like in the beggining of times??

    Report Post » santramir  
  • the Anti-Dem
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:31pm

    At some point, it seems that mosques, and Imams, and those that attend are due a visit.
    Do we really want this murderous religion in America?
    It would be so funny and satisfying to see Muslims required to become infidels or have their heads removed, as they expect the world to do for them. I am sure there would be a lot more infidels among us.

    Report Post » the Anti-Dem  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:30pm

    may God be with this family. The father is a far better man than I would be. we can all learn from him..

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • tbb
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:25pm

    Just reading this story I’m having a hard time seeing past the tears. My heart goes out to the surviving members of this horrible act of violence.

    Report Post »  
    • neverending
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 11:56pm

      You are not alone.

      Report Post »  
    • 777jenn
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 10:35am

      I, too, can’t stop the pain & tears after learning of this DEEP HATRED & EVIL. I will hang on to my Father in heaven and KNOW that He sees ALL. He loves us, and VENGEANCE BELONGETH….TO HIM!!!!

      Report Post » 777jenn  
  • Mikee T
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:19pm

    yep….those peace loving Palestinians / Muslims…. God Help Israel…..cause Obummer and his crew of scumbags in Washington won’t…

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:24pm

      Exactly … what must Isreal be thinking … with the way Obama has treated them … they know, I am sure, that they are on their own … I pray for them.

      Where is Obama BTW .. anyone check the golf course or is it concert night ? He certainly isn’t leading .. he is hiding … while the world is blowing up around us.

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:14pm

      Mikee, remember when I posted a story about this about three days ago? I copied and pasted it into another story because it had not hit The Blaze yet. Then I put a link to the story. What was in the story that I didn’t include is damning for Obama. It said that “Obama was responsible for the massacre” because of his help to the Palistinians and because he had made it easier for the Palistinians to move around the West Bank. I was trying to tell you folks that without sounding any alarms.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:17pm

      @CatB ~
      “Where is Obama BTW .. anyone check the golf course or is it concert night ? He certainly isn’t leading .. he is hiding … while the world is blowing up around us.”

      Does anybody care at this point? We get along better when he’s off somewhere. We got along before we met him; we can get along without him now, when he’s busy partying. Oh, he’s in Rio.

      Report Post » Showtime  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:16pm

    our prayers go out to this family

    i am ashamed of how our media is attempting to whitewash what is really going on in Isreal, with their blatant attempt to put the blame where it does not belong.

    shame on them

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • the Anti-Dem
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:15pm

    It is more than a test, it is proof that the religion of Islam is the religion of murderous pigs.
    Any person that can pass out candy to celebrate the murder of a four month old baby, ought to be treated as any other rabid animal would be.
    If Allah gets his jollies from killing, then he can kiss my infidel butt, and so can Mohammed and all the other animal apologists for Islam.

    Report Post » the Anti-Dem  
  • Edct
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:13pm

    They can take comfort in the fact that the God of Israel will have his vengence on the cult from hell, islam, and the cowards that murdered these wonderful innocent people.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:08pm

    Peace of God be granted unto all of them in this community, may he strengthen and sustain them in the face of such losses, may He bring peace and comfort in rememberence of them, may justice be brought swiftly to the murderers.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:06pm

    What monsters could do this. Horrible.

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:15pm

      I am so sorry for the loss this family has had .. horrible … I haven’t heard much if anything on the MSM .. can you imagine if Isreal had accidently hit a Palestinian house…. they would be having big “discussions”. This is terrorism straight up and little if nothing.

      Once again my heart is saddened for this families loss .. Peace be with them.

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:17pm

      I’m sure Keith Ellison is giggling @ Rabbi Ben-Yishai ‘s statement

      cheezwhiz  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:26pm

      How this giant of a man can profess forgiveness is way beyond my limit. I’m more of a Warhead to Forehead kind of guy

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • watchtheotherhand
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:30pm

      The question I have yet seen to be asked is….Where are the “moderate” Muslims around the world condemning this action? There may be some, but I have seen no report of this anywhere.

      Report Post » SLEAZYHIPPOs ILLEGITIMATE OFFSPRING  
    • My Sacred Honor
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:42pm

      watchtheotherhand
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:30pm
      The question I have yet seen to be asked is….Where are the “moderate” Muslims around the world condemning this action? There may be some, but I have seen no report of this anywhere

      Answer: There is no such thing. Some may profess to be ‘moderate’ and some may actually believe they are, but when some thugs break into their haouse and with knife to neck ask “who do you swear allegence to?”, you can be assured they will fall rank and file with the “non-moderates”.

      Report Post » My Sacred Honor  
    • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:49pm

      @My Sacred Honor
      True.
      It’s like saying where is the Easter Bunny..I bet I get my colored eggs and chocolate before the “moderate” muslims speak out.

      Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:50pm

      I understand that this poor family is just trying to cope with the horror, but they are not doing themselves any favors by refusing to allow themselves to be outraged and to seek swift justice.

      By not doing anything, they are emboldening these murderers.

      Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:52pm

      What monsters? American-trained!

      Check this one out!
      http://bigpeace.com/dwest/2011/03/14/disgrace-american-trained-forces-arrested-for-israeli-family-massacre/

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • SlimnRanger
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:54pm

      this story brought tears to these old eyes, I pray the monsters that did this will reap what they have sown very soon

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:16pm

      Showtime
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 8:52pm
      What monsters? American-trained!
      Check this one out!
      http://bigpeace.com/dwest/2011/03/14/disgrace-american-trained-forces-arrested-for-israeli-family-massacre/
      —————-
      OMG that report makes me sick to my stomach.
      I remember that almost 15 years ago, I was visiting India and I heard something really outrageous there :
      ” Every terrorist in the world has a US or British green-card or citizenship ”
      and I thought that was sick

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • TikeSissy
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:17pm

      “Rabbi Ben-Yishai expressed deep pain but no anger or calls for vengeance”. An example for all of us.
      My deepest heartfelt condolences to these two families. May G-d give these families shalom.

      Report Post » TikeSissy  
    • Now this is Art
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:19pm

      mohammed is the devil; he was a murderer, rapist, pedophile, and hate monger. who the hell follows such a person? other haters, murderer, and pedophiles. we must band together to wipe out this cult that is slowly engulfing the world.

      Report Post » Now this is Art  
    • Showtime
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:21pm

      I saw pictures of the bodies on the Internet. It looked like — I can’t even describe it. It was bloody.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • rwsasinger
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 9:53pm

      These Palestinian animals should be punished to the full extent of Jewish Law. Please don’t give me your comments on forgiveness. If it were my family, I would forgive them and would through the entire process of putting them down by rope, bullet, needle, or electric shock. There are consequences for this type of crime as there are for all crimes. These people in support of this kind of terror are not suitable for this world. I If you haven’t seen the celebrations carried on by the Palestine settlers in celebration of the butchering of this family, do so. They’re passing out candy and treats in praise of this terrorist action. Animals.

      Report Post » rwsasinger  
    • drbage
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 10:11pm

      May God grant peace on his family. May God grant We, the People the same strength, courage, and faith as we continue the struggle to save our country.

      Report Post »  
    • 1959
      Posted on March 15, 2011 at 10:22pm

      Let us continue to pray for the surviving children, their grandparents and for Israel. I too have seen the pictures.The horror this poor family suffered is beyond what anyone could describe. The celebration that took place afterwards is satanic.

      Report Post »  
    • SonOfaCommunist
      Posted on March 16, 2011 at 3:47am

      All I can say, is you need to watch “Law Abiding Citizen” the movie. I’m not saying its right, but I understand!!!

      Report Post » SonOfaCommunist  
    • BORDERMAN
      Posted on March 18, 2011 at 4:05pm

      the exact same monsters that we (us government) let in our country everyday!

      Report Post » BORDERMAN  
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