Homeward Bound

The feeling of true joy is palpable. Every Israeli has been awaiting this day to arrive for the past two years. As we heard the news of a deal brokered by President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, Steve Witcoff, Israeli diplomats and leaders, and leaders of the Arab world as well as other countries, we were elated.

When U.S. President Donald Trump was speaking to the families of the hostages, assuring them that a deal was made, and that 20 live hostages would return to Israel on Monday October 13th, the country danced and cheered along with the families!

Chills ran through our veins as we witnessed the potential to end the War, and the end of these two horrid years of hostages hidden in the bowels of Gaza. Two years of our soldiers, both young and old, sent to all fronts to defend the State of Israel. Two years of being barraged by bombs day and night, running to shelters at home, at work, at school, at supermarkets, or on the side of the road.

And now, we find ourselves on the last day of Sukkot Hol Hamoed, on the day also known as “Hoshana Rabba”. It is the 7th day of the holiday of Sukkot. It is considered the last day of our repentance prayers that began with the holiday of Rosh Hashana, through the holiday of Yom Kippur, and throughout the holiday of Sukkot.

On the night of Hoshana Rabba, there is a tradition to learn and study with teachers, whose words of wisdom and encouragement for the New Year ahead. People also have a tradition of reciting Psalms until midnight to pray for the benefit of the Nation of Israel, and all nations of the world.

While my children studied with legends of today’s rabbinic lore, I joined my small Tehilim/Psalms reading group to pray. We all shed a tear as we expressed our good fortune over the news for the day ahead – the return of the hostages. We said blessings of thanksgiving in the Sukkah as we prayed, ate, and expressed gratitude that this day had arrived. We were elated and giddy with expectation for the day ahead.

And here we are, on the day of Hoshana Rabba. On this day, there is a tradition of asking God “Ana Hasham Hoshiah Na” (Please God bring us salvation), “Ana Hashem Hatzlicha Na”(Please God, bring us success). At the end of the prayers, we say “Lmaan Daat Kol Amei HaEretz Ki Hashem, Hu HaElokim, Ein Od” (All of the nations of the world will know that God is the only God, and there is no other).

There is a tradition of taking willow branches at the end of the Hoshanah Rabba service and hitting them onto the ground five times to teach us that with each “hit” of the branches onto the ground, we are sweetening the year ahead. Some communities have a tradition of eating apples and honey, or sweet delights, after the prayer service to remind us of our blessings of a sweet year ahead.

It is no coincidence that 20 live hostages were released today, on Hoshana Rabba, from Gaza. For it is the final time to pray for our salvation, and it is a sign of good times ahead of us. It is a common theme for our Jewish people: we may have difficult times, but we look ahead to a better future. We know it will come, and we pray. We pray for salvation from difficulties and pray for better times for our future generations.

As I am glued to the news today, I am reminded of a song  הביתה / Habayta “Bring them Home”. It was a song recorded in December of 2023, shortly after the beginning of the War of Swords. 1,000 Israeli musicians were calling out with their voices, their instruments, and their souls to “Bring the Hostages Back Home”.  [The Lyrics were by Ehud Manor, composed by Yair Klinger, production by Talya Yarom, Music Producton Eran Mitelman, Directors Shilo Gallay and Danny Cassoin.]

My favorite lines are the following:

הביתה, הביתה, באה עת לחזור
מסוף דרכים מריב אחים
אל תוך אותו מקום בלב
הביתה, הביתה, טרם רדת אור
אל חלומות ללא חומות
אל לילה בלי כאב

עד עלות השחר, מתפלל לשלומכם
שמרי שמרי ארצי שלי
שברי חלום ישראלי
הביתה, הביתה, כי עוד לא ניתן
כל מה שהובטח לנו מזמן…

 Translation:

Homeward, homeward, the time has come to return
From the end of the roads, from a quarrel among brothers,
Into that same place within the heart.
Homeward, homeward, before the light descends,
To dreams without walls,
To a night without pain.

Until dawn rises, I pray for your peace.
Guard, oh guard, my land, my own,
Fragments of the Israeli dream.
Homeward, homeward, for still not all was given,
All that was promised to us long ago… 

As I write these words, President Trump has arrived along with his entourage of ministers, ambassadors, and peacemakers, He has been accompanied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog. They will address the Israeli House of Government, known as the Knesset. Then they will follow towards more negotiations regarding the Abraham Accords, along with other world Muslim and Arab country leaders in Egypt.

We are following the coattails of our homeward bound hostages. They will now be blessed with “dreams without walls” and a “night without pain”. And we will all follow our world leaders, with bated breath to a new dawn of peace, of safeguarding this State of Israel, a place all Jews can always call “Home”. 

As Simon and Garfunkel once sang many years ago in their classic “Homeward Bound”, I am sure our hostages were thinking these thoughts daily: 
I wish I was
Homeward bound
Home where my thought’s escapin’
Home where my music’s playin’
Home where my love lies waitin’
Silently for me

[written by Paul Simon, sung by Simon and Garfunkel, produced by Bob Johnston 1966].

Seeing these hostages hugging their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends makes these words ring true, as well. The hostages must know that they are now HOME, and we are accepting them with open arms, in song and jubilation for their future as the brave and incredible members of the Jewish and Israeli people they are. “VShavu Banim Ligvulam– ושבו בנים לגבולם .” They have finally “returned to their homeland.” (Jeremiah 31:16)

Welcome home, dear brothers. We missed you dearly. We waited so long, but we were not silent. We are truly grateful you finally found your way….homeward bound.