The great love of the captive’s parents exists in each one of us

The Jewish world was moved to the core Erev Yom Tov by the images of the hostages being reunited with their families. Indescribable intense emotions, that really have no words, were expressed as much as they could. “Neshama sheli” ( My soul!), “lev sheli” ( My heart!) were some of the cries of the hostages’ parents. However, here is an interesting thought to ponder for those of us who are blessed to be parents. The intense feeling of love that was expressed by the hostage’s parents for their children really exists deep down in each and every one of us. Those same children who may drive us crazy at times really are our heart and soul. Deep down in the hidden recesses of our soul we have feelings for them just as powerful as the hostage’s parents expressed earlier this week. However, thank God, we did not go through the great pain that brought these emotions to the fore. However, they exist in each of us. So perhaps now is a good time for everyone to give each and every one of their children a really big hug, as thinking about the hostage’s parents’ love and joy, may awaken some of our hidden love for our children as well.

However, here is one more thought that is even deeper. The story in the Torah that is most similar to what happened this week is the story of Yaakov Avinu reuniting with his son Yosef after 22 years of separation. (Our sages tell us that Yaakov Avinu was saying the Shema when he saw Yosef. The father of the captive Yosef Chaim Ochana also said Shema as soon as he saw him). In the remarkable sefer “Bilvavi Mishkon Evneh” written by Rav Ithamar Schwartz, he uses the story of the reunification of Yaakov and Yosef as a parable for how we can relate to Hashem Yisborach on a constant basis.

Now, even the intense emotions that the hostage’s parents expressed to their redeemed children will probably cool down as time passes on. There may be some more really big hugs but it is hard to imagine that this will happen every day. Thus is the nature of life. However, our relationship with Hashem is not necessarily this way. We can pour out our hearts to Hashem every day in prayer with the same intensity of a son reuniting with his father. For living here in a physical world creates some form of barrier between us and the creator. However, when we are able to cry out to our Father in Heaven amidst the challenges or even captivity that our soul may express in this world-the intense feelings expressed by the hostage’s parents Erev Yom Tov, can be for us a regular occurrence that is always appropriate and never grows old. We are all living in captivity on some level. And our loving father is ready for us to cry out to Him.

-Ariel