Today is a day of rejoicing and celebration.
After 738 days, the twenty living hostages have finally returned home. Our hearts are full. My eyes brimmed with tears as I watched the images of them reuniting with their families after two years in captivity.
For two years, we have held Israel close in our hearts and in our prayers, for the hostages and their families, for the soldiers, for the wounded, and for all the innocent lives affected by this war. We have worn ribbons, lit candles, volunteered, raised funds, raised our voices, sung songs of longing, and told stories of courage, loss, and survival.
Now, with gratitude to God, the current US administration, and its partners in forging this peace process, Israel’s longest war has come to an end. While much still remains uncertain, we give thanks for this first step toward healing, restoration, and peace.
Tonight, we will begin our Simchat Torah celebration with a message of gratitude, hope, and prayer: thanksgiving for deliverance, hope for peace, and prayer for safety and healing for all.
Two years ago, on this very same festival, Simchat Torah, our joy was shattered. Tonight, we reclaim this holy day, Z’man Simchateinu, the Season of our Rejoicing, as a time of thanksgiving, hope, and renewal. We will begin our celebration this evening by welcoming our newest students as they embark on their journey of Jewish learning with Consecration at 6:30. Then, our celebration of Simchat Torah continues at 7:00 pm. At 7:00 PM, we will add a prayer of gratitude for the release of the hostages, for the end of Israel’s longest war, and for peace and safety for all in the region.
Tomorrow morning, during Yizkor (beginning at 11:00 am), we will lovingly add the names of the remaining hostages who are no longer alive, those whose families still wait to lay them to rest, to those whom we hold close in our hearts, minds, and memories.
Hodu L’Adonai ki tov, ki l’olam chasdo—Give thanks to the Eternal, for God is good, God’s steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 118:1).
Chag Sameach!
Rabbi Sharon L. Sobel
Interim Rabbi
Temple Beth Or
rabbisobel@tboraleigh.org
