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Shortly after 8 AM this morning in Israel, the 20 remaining living hostages were released by Hamas and returned home. It was dawn on Simchat Torah two years ago that this nightmare began. Now, on the eve of Simchat Torah, we welcome them back, holding all hostages, those returned and those lost, in our hearts.
Once again, as we approach Simchat Torah, we stand at the intersection of heartbreak and holiness.
The release of our hostages is the result of unending hope, strength, resilience, and the tireless prayers of our people. This, along with the persistence of the President of the United States, the leadership of Israel, and support of regional and international partners.
And yet, we know this is not the end of the journey.
Tomorrow night, we will dance with the Torahs as sacred symbols of life and spirit restored. When we lift up the Torahs, we are also lifting every hostage who has returned, every body brought home for burial, every prayer that refused to go silent. Some of us will dance with relief. Some will dance with rage. Some will barely be able to move.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin, speaking in Israel this week, offered words that capture this impossible mix of emotions: joy and grief, relief and anguish. Reflecting on Kohelet (Ecclesiastes), read on the Shabbat of Sukkot, she said:
“We are told there is a season for everything and a time for everything. But now today we are being asked to digest all of those seasons, all of those times at the exact same second. Winter, spring, summer, fall. Experience all four right now.
It says there is a time to be born and a time to die — and we have to do both right now.
It says there's a time to weep and a time to laugh — and we have to do both right now.
It says there is a time to hug and a time to hold back from hugging — and we have to do both right now.
It says there is a time to tear and a time to heal — and we have to do both right now.
It says there is a time to be silent and a time to speak — and we have to do both right now.
And it says there's a time to sob and there's a time to dance — and we have to do both right now.
As we gather this Simchat Torah, may our dancing be both prayer and promise - that we will hold one another through every season, every contradiction, every heartbreak, and every glimmer of hope.
May our prayers rise together this Simchat Torah.
May we rejoice and grieve in equal measure.
May we hold one another, and all the people of Israel, with strength, faith, and care as we walk this winding path toward healing and peace.
And may we offer deep gratitude that we are still here, still dancing, still believing that light can break through the darkness.
Am Yisrael Chai.
With love and faith,
Rabbi Joel Nickerson