You will always be your nation's baby

Kfir Bibas would have been three today.

When a little boy turns three years old in Jewish tradition, it means something.

In many Jewish communities, it is the age of becoming.

For some its the first haircut- transitioning from a baby to a boy.

For others its the beginning of learning Torah, the focus shifting from babyhood to education.

For all children, it's when language begins to explode- they begin to notice the world around them on a deeper level.

They begin to participate in family tasks, in conversations, in play, and in learning.

But Kfir isn't alive to turn three.

He was k*lled by H*mas terr*rists, when he was just a baby.

In a dark tunnel.

In the cruelest, most grotesque manner.

His d*ath, and the m*rder of his brother Ariel, and mother Shiri, rocked our nation to its core.

Because there was nothing more unspeakable than what happened to this family.

I don't need January 18th, to remember you Kfir.

I still think about you all the time.

Most of the people in my world think about you, and your family, all the time.

Because no matter what happened to you in this world.

No matter what the world said about it.

You will always be the precious son of a nation.

We wept with your father.

We cried for your mother.

And for you and your brother?

We waited, and prayed, and couldn't sleep.

And now that time has passed, we know that time will not diminish the light you brought into this world.

The way you rallied us.

The way you inspired compassion and kindness.

Your gummy smile and your sweet red hair-

a symbol of innocence and goodness.

We will never forget you, Kfir.

Now, when you were supposed to turn three.

Or ten.

Or twenty.

Or any age.

You will always be your nation's baby.