A Time for Gratitude, Not Celebration

A Time for Gratitude, Not Celebration: Standing Together for the Release of Our Hostages, Supporting Those in Emotional Captivity, and Praying for Global Peace

The recent assassination of Hezbollah terror leader Hassan Nasrallah represents a significant moment in Israel’s ongoing battle for security and peace. This figure, who has sown so much terror, fear, and destruction, is no longer able to spread his violence. For that, we are deeply grateful—to Hashem, the IDF, and all those fighting for Israel’s security. But while we acknowledge this victory and offer heartfelt thanks, we cannot allow ourselves to celebrate just yet.

True peace is not achieved with the death of one enemy. The war continues. Suffering endures. And at the heart of this suffering are our hostages—innocent men, women, and children held captive in Gaza’s tunnels, separated from their loved ones, isolated, and enduring unimaginable fear. The time to bring them home is now.

We must unite as a nation, people, and individuals to secure their release and support their families. But this issue transcends Israel’s borders. The release of these hostages and the pursuit of peace are critical not only for Israel but also for the people of Lebanon, for the entire Middle East, and for the world as a whole. The desire for peace is a universal aspiration, and our efforts to end this suffering could inspire hope far beyond our borders.

The Hostages: Innocent Lives Held in Darkness

The continued captivity of our fellow citizens is one of the greatest tragedies of this conflict. The hostages are trapped underground, far from their families and their homes. Those that wake up each day do so surrounded by uncertainty, isolated in darkness, wondering if they will ever be free. For their families, every passing moment is another hour spent in unbearable pain—waiting for news, praying for their safe return, and living in a constant state of fear.

These people are not just nameless figures or distant stories in the news. They are our neighbors, our family members, our fellow citizens. They are human beings with dreams, futures, and lives waiting to be lived. Each one represents an entire world of relationships, love, and belonging. The time for their release is now, and we must come together as a nation and as individuals to ensure that they are brought home safely.

Our Selichot prayers, which we started saying last night, leading up to Rosh Hashana, frequently evoke the image of the captive pleading for freedom. We cry out to Hashem:

 ריבונו של עולם, רחם עלינו ורפא מכאבנו הגדול למען לא נכלה בשביה

 Master of the Universe, have mercy on us and heal our overwhelming pain so that we are not annihilated in captivity.

This cry must resonate deeply within us. As we prepare for the new year, we cannot allow ourselves to forget these hostages. We cannot escape their suffering or grow numb to their plight.

Supporting the Families of the Hostages

While the physical captivity of our hostages is horrific, we must also remember the emotional captivity of those waiting for their return. The families of the hostages are living in constant anguish. Their lives are suspended in uncertainty. They go to sleep each night and wake up each morning not knowing if their loved ones are alive or dead, whether they are suffering or being treated humanely, or if they will ever return.

We cannot, as a people, leave these families to suffer alone. We must be there for them in every way we can—offering emotional support, practical help, and solidarity. This may mean providing psychological care, helping with daily needs, or simply offering a listening ear and a compassionate heart. These families carry a weight that no one should bear alone, and it is our duty to ensure they feel the strength of the nation standing behind them.

But the emotional toll extends beyond the hostages’ families. Tens of thousands of Israelis, displaced by the ongoing violence, are living in emotional captivity. They have been uprooted from their homes, forced to live with the constant threat of rockets, or displaced into makeshift shelters. For these individuals, life is a constant state of fear and instability. They, too, need emotional, psychological, and practical support.

Our prayers this Rosh Hashana must include not only those in physical captivity, but also those suffering from emotional imprisonment. We ask Hashem to send light and truth to all those responsible for Israel’s well-being:

 אבינו שבשמים, שלח אורך ואמיתך לראשיה שריה ויועציה של מדינת ישראל

 Our Father in Heaven, send Your light and Your truth to the leaders, ministers, and counselors of the State of Israel.

We pray that their wisdom and compassion guide them in making the right decisions to secure the release of the hostages and restore peace to our land.

The Global Impact: Peace for Israel, Lebanon, and the World

The suffering we witness today does not exist in a vacuum. While it is easy to focus on the immediate impact this conflict has on Israel, we must remember that this struggle affects not only the people of Israel but also the people of Lebanon and the broader world.

Nasrallah’s reign of terror was not only a threat to Israel but also to the Lebanese people, who have endured decades of hardship under Hezbollah’s militant rule. Nasrallah’s organization has dragged Lebanon into conflicts, stunted its development, and perpetuated instability in the region. His removal opens up an opportunity—a sliver of hope—that Lebanon may one day be free from the grip of militant extremism. We must see this moment not only as an Israeli victory but as a chance for the Lebanese people to reclaim their future, free from terror and oppression.

The release of our hostages and the pursuit of peace must be seen as a global imperative. The desire for peace transcends borders, religions, and national identities. The suffering we seek to end is not just Israel’s suffering; it is the world’s suffering. Every step toward peace in this conflict has the potential to inspire hope for other regions trapped in cycles of violence. Every hostage brought home is a victory not just for their families but for all who long to see justice, compassion, and freedom prevail in the world.

As we work toward the release of our hostages and support their families, we must do so knowing that our efforts ripple beyond our own community. We are part of a global community, and the peace we seek in Israel is the peace the world longs for—a peace built on justice, compassion, and the inherent dignity of every human life.

A Call to Action: The Time Is Now

The time to act is now. Each day that passes is another day of suffering for the hostages and their families. We cannot afford to wait or grow complacent. As a nation, Israel must prioritize the release of the hostages – not just in words but in continued action, dedicating all available resources to securing their freedom. As individuals, we must advocate, raise awareness, and offer support in any way we can.

We must also turn to prayer, for while our actions on earth are critical, we know that, ultimately, we depend on Hashem’s mercy. We pray not only for the safe return of our hostages but also for the healing of all those affected by this conflict—those in physical and emotional captivity and those across the region who yearn for a better future.

This Rosh Hashana, as we gather with our loved ones to reflect on the year past and look toward the future, let us keep the hostages and their families in our hearts. Let us remember the tens of thousands living in emotional captivity, and let us pray for peace—for Israel, for Lebanon, and for the world.

 שוב את שבותך ורחמך, ושב וקבצך מכל העמים אשר הפיצך ה’ אלוקיך שמה

The Lord your God will bring your captives back and have compassion on you; and He will again gather you from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you.

May we witness the fulfillment of this divine promise. May Hashem strengthen the hands of those working to release the hostages and grant them success. May He bring comfort to the families and individuals suffering from the emotional toll of war. May we soon see the day when our brothers and sisters are reunited with their families, safe, free, and at peace.

The time is now. Let us act with urgency, compassion, and a deep understanding that peace for one is peace for all.