LIFE IN ISRAEL

By Rabbi Vernon Kurtz.

Living in Israel is living on an emotional rollercoaster. A few days before Simchat Torah this year we were all dreading the reliving of what happened on Simchat Torah, October 7, 2023. Then news came out of a possible ceasefire and the release of the hostages. Immediately, emotions changed from sadness to hopeful expectations. As the negotiations continued our hopes were raised and when the agreement was accepted by both sides there was relief and excitement here in Israel. 

Hoshana Rabbah, the day before Shemini Atzeret in the Diaspora and Simchat Torah here in Israel, is a day of many emotions itself. On the one hand, it is placed during Sukkot, the Season of our Rejoicing, and, on the other, it is symbolically the end of the period of the High Holy Days with its awe and majesty. As Bryna and I went to a Masorti synagogue that morning for the service we were awaiting the news of the release of the 20 living hostages. As I wrote Rabbi Schwab, exactly at 8 am when it was reported that the first 7 hostages were being released the Hazzan uttered the words in the Amidah “Matir Asurim,” “He who releases those who are confined.”  It was quite an emotional moment and our Hallel and Hoshanot prayers were filled with joyous singing.  

We spent that afternoon glued to our television set. It was a split screen. On one side, we witnessed the release of the living hostages and when possible, the reunions with their families. They had endured 2 years of torture and through our prayers, demonstrations and concern we felt they were part of our immediate families. On the other side of the screen was the special session of the Knesset at which President Trump was extolled and during which he delivered his speech. While in the United States there are many people who marched in “No Kings” demonstrations criticizing the President and his policies, here in Israel he could easily be crowned king as each speaker, newspaper editorial and television commentator praised his leadership in releasing the hostages and in working towards a ceasefire. 

Simchat Torah 5786 was filled with celebration and joyous singing and dancing. It had been our custom at our Masorti synagogue, Ma’ayanot, to select appropriate songs to recall the events of Simchat Torah 5783 and those taken hostage for the first 3 hakafot and only then to proceed with the joy of the Simchat Torah festival. That was our plan this year as well. However, as circumstances changed the decision was made to recall past events only during one hakafa and immediately proceed to the joyous singing and dancing. 

Since that day, only a week ago, there is now much anxiety. Hamas has not returned all the captured deceased hostages and has broken the ceasefire several times. In fact, only this week two Israeli soldiers were killed, both from Modiin. One of the soldiers had attended my grandson Shmuli’s high school Yeshiva and prayed at the synagogue where one of Shmuli’s closest friends prays. He was also the brother-in-law of a family in which there are twins who are friends with one of our granddaughters, Anael. We are a small country and all of us are really part of one large mishpacha. 

As I write these words, I am cautiously hopeful and yet filled with anxiety.  We need the ceasefire to stick, for some of the soldiers to return to their homes, families, businesses and study programs and we expect the terrorist organization Hamas to live up to the agreement (that may be too much to ask for). As you know, Jewish life has changed for you as well. We need time for healing, a period during which we can plan for a bright future for the Jewish people here in Israel around the world and, at the same time, be able to confront those wish to harm us by word, deed and political means. 

Towards the conclusion of Parshat Noah, Terach and his family leave Ur of the Chaldees on their way to the land of Canaan. Next week in Parshat Lech Lecha we will read about Abram and Sarai’s continuation of that journey as they make their way to the Promised Land. Bryna and I feel privileged to have followed in their footsteps and to make our home here in the Jewish State. 

As we begin the period known here as “Acharei HaHagim,” “After the holidays,” we pray that this year be one filled with hope, peace, blessings and Beosort Tovot, good tidings for all.