“The whole community that returned from captivity made Sukkot and dwelt in the Sukkot … and there was very great rejoicing.” – Nehemiah 8:17
In Hebrew the word for “soul” is נשמה – Neshamah, and the Hebrew word for “breath” is נשימה – Neshimah. They are virtually the same word.
Since the morning of Simchat Torah 5784, it feels like we have barely breathed. We have been holding our breath, we have been holding our souls, in anxious fear and dread for the plight of the hostages taken on October 7, 2023.
On that dark day, thousands of terrorists swarmed the communities surrounding Gaza, committing unspeakable acts of savagery – murder, rape, pillaging, torture. And more than 250 individual lives were taken captive: men, women, the elderly, and infant children. They took living souls and stole the corpses of those they murdered.
The hostages were subjected to cruel and inhuman treatment. They were denied access to medical care. They were chained, starved, sexually assaulted, held deep underground, and tortured – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Their captors took delight in their suffering. They murdered many of them in cold blood.
Maimonides taught: “You do not find a mitzvah greater than the redemption of captives.”
Over these past two years, the people of Israel have done everything possible to bring the hostages home. They went to war against an unscrupulous enemy who used as human shields the civilian population they were responsible to protect, attacking from hospitals, schoolyards, and children’s bedrooms.
The families and loved ones of the hostages organized a campaign to ensure the world did not forget the faces of those held in darkness. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum sent family members across the globe to implore world leaders to pressure Hamas to release their captives. They ensured the government of Israel did not waver from its primary mission to bring them home. They spoke, they wrote, and they persevered. Thousands gathered every Saturday night, week after week.
And this morning, thanks to the efforts of the Trump administration, the remaining 20 living hostages returned home to Israel. And this morning, our people released the collective breath we have been holding for 738 days.
The nightmare is not over. Still the bodies of those killed and captured remain in Hamas’ hands, and their grieving families still await the dreaded closure that laying them to rest will hopefully afford them. Still Hamas professes its maniacal obsession to renew their attacks against the people of Israel, no matter the cost.
For the 20 who return home today, the long road to healing begins, a road that thousands who bear the wounds of the last two years – wounds inside and out – still yearn to heal.
Temple Beth El has held in our congregation’s soul each and every one of the hostages. We prayed for their release every Shabbat and holy day. We hung their portraits in our lobby. We erupted in joy when they returned to the embrace of their families. We mourned and wept when we learned who was killed. We have kept a seat for them on our bima.
Just a few weeks following the October 7 massacre, I was blessed to visit Israel on a short solidarity mission. In “Hostage Square” outside the Tel Aviv art museum, I purchased dozens of necklaces – “dogtags” on a simple chain that read: “הלב שלנו שבוי בעזה – Our Hearts Are Captive in Gaza – BRING THEM HOME NOW!”
Today we exhale with gratitude. Our hostages – our hearts – are finally, finally home.
It was on Simchat Torah that the hostages were taken. And it is on Simchat Torah that we celebrate their return.
Tonight at our Erev Simchat Torah service at 6:00 p.m., we celebrate the resilience and spirit of our people. With the consecration of our youngest religious school students, we will surround our sanctuary with the gift of Torah, and take special time to celebrate this historic day. Milestone Hall will be transformed into a tribute to the Nova Dance Festival, and “we will dance again.”
Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, SheHechyanu, V’Kiyemanu, V’Higianu La’Zman HaZeh – Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has kept us in life, sustained us, and brought us to joyful day.
Rabbi Dan Levin
Temple Beth El of Boca Raton
