No words can accurately portray the absolute joy we all feel seeing our hostages finally released after 471 days in captivity.
After holding our collective breath to see if the transfer would actually pan out, the relief and exhilaration is simply indescribable.
Which pen can capture the feeling of seeing Emily and her mother hugging? How can we ever describe the emotions of Romi screaming with tears of joy in her mom’s arms? Which words can properly encapsulate Doron’s tears as she fell into her mother’s embrace?
We’ve never met these women, but we’re obsessed with every detail. This is when our nation shines. It doesn't matter if you’re right wing or left wing or centrist—we’re all family. We all care deeply for one another. We want to devour every detail. We want to know everything we can about our hostages because, truly, they are our brothers and sisters.
From all over the globe—Thailand, Tel Aviv, Japan, Johannesburg, Australia—we share the worry and the joy. Their pain is our pain; their joy is our joy. We are “Am echad b’lev echad,” one nation with one heart. It’s our secret weapon, our super strength. It’s what makes us invincible.
Despite our externalities, we are one deeply connected people.
I received a text from someone I know:
“Hey rabbi, good afternoon. I made a promise that when the hostages are released I will not touch my phone for the duration of Shabbat. My question is as follows: I was expecting all of the hostages to be released right away or within a week—not over six weeks, and that’s if everything goes to plan. So, technically, do I have to keep every week from now until the end of the six weeks, or is just this week fine?”
What a beautiful message! This guy doesn’t know the hostages or their families. He never met them in his life. And turning off his phone for all of Shabbat is extremely difficult. And yet, he is willing to keep the promise he made for their release! This is what Jews do.
And Hamas? Well, they’re busy telling the world that they won the war, but who really won? Hamas represents the forces of evil and darkness in the world. Their vision is one of darkness, hatred, and intolerance.
Israel, on the other hand, represents light and kindness and truth. Their vision is one of light, love, and compassion. So who actually won this conflict? The answer is clear: Israel may have suffered significant losses, but its spirit remains unbroken. Its people continue to shine with a light and hope that cannot be extinguished.
The challenge for us now is to take this love and live with it in our daily lives, using it to strengthen and fortify ourselves until we are able to bring Moshiach and the Ultimate Redemption—may it happen right here and right now!