Some forty hours on,  the count of the dead keeps rising in India, it now stands at 125.  Several locations in the southern-most tip of Mumbai (Bombay) are still under control of fedayeen terrorists. Combing operations continue, and happily, citizens continue to be rescued against a background of gun fire and explosions. And sadly, more valiant members of the Indian commandos fall in the line of duty.

{I thank the great blog Atlas Shrugs for some of the information and links in this post.}

Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and wife Rivka,  are still being held hostage by the cavemen, at what is called the Nariman House, a community center for the Mumbai’s small Jewish community. Indian Airforce helicopter dropped commandos on to the roof of the building, firefight ongoing.

Ms. Atlas has this picture at the head of her indomitable blog, Atlas Shrugs. It shows prayers being offered at the Western Wall in Jerusalem for the safety of the young rabbi and his wife.

In the midst of all this horror, small miracles continue to bear testimony to the Sacred and the Holy.

While the Rabbi and wife Rivka are reported to be hurt, unconsious, their 2 year old son Moshe is alive, spirited out of there cleverly by a babysitter.

The babysitter, a local woman, called the family shortly after the siege began, and accompanied the little boy to the home of the Israeli Consulate’s security officer, where both are awaiting his grandparents, Rabbi Shimon Rosenberg and his wife Yehudit who are expected to arrive from Israel [sic]

The Hebrew names of the Chabad emissary and his wife who are being held hostage are: Gavriel Noach ben Freida Bluma and Rivkah Bas Yehudis. Chabad Headquarters has asked for prayers to be said for their safety invoking their Hebrew names.  Israel National News

INN has details about the condition and the whereabouts of the Israeli citizens and Indian Jews who have been targeted by the cavemen. They also have this photo of the young Chabad couple.

 The dark details of the dastardly attack, their demented reasoning and other sordid information continues to trickle out.

I fully and wholeheartedly share in the sentiments expressed by Atlas:

“Terrorism” the big lie used to club the minds of free men into confusion. This isn’t terrorism. This is war, holy war.BTW, ever hear of Jews killing imams? (not that that matters, right) [sic]

I will say it again for the umpteenth time. This ideology must be crushed not appeased, not gently spoken of.

Atlas earned our love with the marvelous ‘Great Reverse Schlep’in answer to Sarah Silverman in Florida during the recent election. Hail Atlas! And Godspeed to Rivka and the Rabbi, and all souls in distress at the hands of the evil cavemen.

Update:

The Wonder of Life continues, as little Moshe completes his second year, the day after it is found that his dear parents have indeed been killed in the fedayeen attack. Blessings to him for a long and meaningful life. 

My prayers for the peaceful passage of all the souls that perished at the hands of those evil menl in Mumbai this week. May they rest easy. Let there be comfort and aid to those who have been left behind.

Not cyclones, nor typhoons. Neither earthquakes nor tsunamis. No since September of 2001 have I felt this much pain, this much anger.

Cavemen, crawl back into your hole, leave us alone!