The emotional and powerful videos of the reunions of the hostages have touched us all in such a powerful way. Their individual dramatic stories are all incredible, painful and uplifting all at the same time.
Yet a common thread seems to be emerging from all of their stories, both from them and from their loved ones...
Their unbelievable resilience, hope, and faith in the face of so much evil, torture and abuse.
One after another, their stories are ones that will go down in history as ones that represent the resilience of our people, of Shema Yisrael, of faith and inner strength that defies all logic, and so much more.
Shechiyanu VeKiemanu.... may these joyous moments and uplifting reunions, and the love our people all over the world, be a source of strength for them and their families in the months ahead.
I think it is also important to make a note of thanks to everyone in the community who have enabled us to collectively make a real difference of friendship, support, and a tangible difference, to the multiple hostage families, to the heroes who helped get them back, to the wounded, to the many who were displaced, to grieving families who lost loved ones and to so many more.
So many times, we heard the same emotional and tear filled feedback, about what this support meant to them on so many levels!
This Shabbat, marks a new beginning, one of joy, unity, hopes for a better future and indeed it is the first Shabbat of the new Torah Cycle as we begin the book of Bereshit, "In the Beginning".
The lessons that are spoken of in this week's reading are timely, and a reminder for our collective mission, of making this world become a beautiful garden for G-d and humanity, one of unity, growth, holiness, kindness and more.
It reminds us to Make Time Count, not just to Count Time and it reminds us that the world is bursting with tremendous untapped potential, waiting for each one of us to access, discover, bring to eachother and the world around us.
Join us for uplifting Shabbat Services tomorrow and for a special message, as we celebrate a new beginning, Bereshit, one of a hopeful and joy filled year ahead.
As you light your Shabbat Candles this evening (5:42pm), take a moment to close your eyes and offer a prayer of thanksgiving to G-d, for the miracles we saw unfold over the last few days despite all the odds, and let us pray that each one of our loved ones, or other individuals who needs a blessing or a miracle to overcome the odds, of good health, healing and so much more, should all merit to see those miracles unfold in their lives.
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos
Yisroel