Hashkafa: Pure Bochurim Taken From Us

Hashkafa by Rav Gershon Ribner Shlita 

Pure bochurim horrifically taken from us: decrypting the Divine message  We are living in a time when constant gedarim and boundaries are needed to guard against arayos and nivul peh. Rav Gershon Ribner teaches that a tragic loss of young bochurim they are  נתפס בעון הדור a reflection of the sins of the generation, particularly the laxity in moral safeguards (Kesubos 8b). The Ramban explains that bochurim possess a special kedusha. At Har Sinai, they brought the korbon before the Kohanim because they were pure and had never tasted sin, by having no contact with the opposite gender prior to the state of marriage. Their holiness makes their loss especially poignant and a call for reflection. Each person must make a cheshbon hanefesh and set personal limits, following the example of the chachmei Yisrael. Even in speech and humor, care must be taken to avoid impurity, lies, and vulgarity. While we are not nevi’im, we can learn from these events and from Torah guidance. May this serve as a reminder to strengthen our own boundaries, deepen our kedusha, and act with greater awareness in an age of spiritual challenge.