Dear friends,

“Should we stop saying a prayer for the hostages?”  Stephen Cohen wanted to know last Shabbat after four female soldiers were released by Hamas as part of a complicated deal that is part of a general ceasefire.  Certainly, some gratitude should be expressed, but the liberation of the hostages is far from complete.  I was at the CDS Gala on Saturday night and the head of school led the assembly in Shehehiyanu, the prayer for anniversaries and when we acquire something new.  I would rather say the blessing forward “ha tov v’ha’mativ,” to the One is good and who does good.”  In the complex system of releasing  prisoners we wait to express a full celebration until all are returned (including  the dead).

The four who were released, Naama Levy, Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, and Liri Albag, are significant because they were all spotters in the lead up to the attack on the Nahal Oz post on October 7^th.  A fifth spotter, Agam Berger, is slated to be released in the coming days.  These women alerted their superiors to unusual activity going on the other side of the fence.  They saw convoys of white pickup trucks with Hamas fighters driving along the border with increased frequency, stopping occasionally and peering into Israel with binoculars. They would put up drones several times a day, according to the spotters.  Their reports, they said, appeared to be dismissed.  The testimony of these spotters will be crucial in the continuing investigation on how Hamas got so far and did so much damage. It will also show the courage that this group of women took to defend their base Nahal Oz.  It should provide comfort to the families  of the survivors that their daughters did not go down without a fight.  It is a another reason to say “Baruch Hatov v’ha mativ,” Blessed be the God who is Good and will do Good.”

In Squirrel Hill, David Devir has organized Sunday vigils to free hostages and finally he is seeing his prayers answered.  Each person at the rally held the photo of a hostage that had been kidnapped giving personal meaning to the one who held the sign.  Each person is a world and we should not despair that their captivity will be forever.  Now we can relax the hostilities and bring back our loved ones who were only be used as pawns.

We bless at the beginning of the morning service every day the God who “releases prisoners.” We hold out the hope that God will make good on his promise to us.  We cherish each life and try to maintain the patience that the prisoners will be free.  As read in the Book of Exodus in the month of Shevat, Moses continued to appear before Pharaoh to insist that he let the people go.   We need to be hopeful that all 250 hostages are accounted for, bringing an end to this grisly war and creating safe boundaries around our beloved nation.

In faith,    

Rabbi