Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Lazeh

This week we commence the Torah reading with the Book of Vayikra, where we learn about the laws of sacrifices. "When an adam from among you brings an offering to Hashem." (Leviticus 1:2) Why does the verse need the words "from among you?", Isn't every person "from among you?"
In Parsha Parables 3 , Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetsky brings an illustrative story to explain the seemingly extraneous words.
"The rabbi was preaching to a packed crowd, and the mood was somber and tense as he expounded on the gravity of a sin. Exhorting the people to repent - to do teshuva -, he called upon them to come back to the faith and laws of their Creator. Although he was reluctant to use the power of certain words, he knew that they would stir his audience. So he added the clincher.
"Does everyone in this community know what is going to happen to them?", he asked. "Everyone in this community is going to die!"
The audience gasped in fear, and the sobriety of the moment was etched in deep creases on their faces.
All of them felt that way - except for one elderly gentleman who sat smiling in the second row directly in front of the rabbi. As the rabbi began to speak again, the man actually chuckled. Disturbed, the rabbi stopped. Perhaps the old-timer did not get the point. In even louder tones the rabbi implored, "It is time to repent!" then he added with increased fervor, "Did you hear me? Everyone in this community is going to die!"
The man's smile broadened. Oblivious to the countenance of his fellow listeners, it was as if the rabbi's words simply had no effect on him.
The rabbi stared directly at the man, and with passion in his voice, he asked, "What's the matter with you? Don't you realize that everyone in this community is going to die?"
The old man looked back; his smile broader than ever. "Heh heh! he chuckled. "It's all right, rabbi, I'm not from this community!"
Rabbi Kamanetsky goes on to explain that "there are no islands and no individuals"..."We are all clearly part of the greater community, and everything we do comes from, and affects, others who are among us."

The Jersualem Post reported that a terror attack was averted, on Saturday in a Haifa mall. " The massive attack was averted after one of several explosive devices hidden in a parked vehicle outside the Lev Hamifratz shopping center malfunctioned. "
Today, when we say the prayer of Modim in the Shemoneh Esrei, let's take some time to thank Hashem, the Shomer of Israel who protected his people from tragedy. Let's thank G-d for averting a catastrophe in Haifa, which is OUR community, as well.