Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Ha’olam, Matir Asurim.
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, who frees the captives.
This prayer is recited each morning as part of our daily liturgy, and for the past 468 days, its words have carried an even deeper urgency. We stand cautiously at a crossroads of hope and determination. We pray that what was negotiated and agreed upon comes to fruition, providing long-awaited relief for many families who have endured unimaginable frustration and uncertainty.
The road ahead will be long and complex. As hostages are released, we will learn of more horrors. This process will require compassion, vigilance, and resolve. For every step forward, we must urge leaders to remain focused on the ultimate goal: to bring every captive home and to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated.
At the heart of this conflict lies a devastating truth: the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians stems from the deliberate actions of Hamas. Their strategy of using civilians as shields, hostages as leverage, and fear as a weapon underscores their utter disregard for human life. Hamas has sought chaos and destruction. It is a tragic cycle in which devastation, rather than prosperity, is their operative value.
We must also speak out against any forces that prioritize continued violence over the pursuit of peace. These voices—including some within Israeli politics who have threatened stability—risk undermining progress toward the return of captives and a lasting resolution for ulterior nationalistic motives. Such actions not only harm efforts toward peace but also betray the hostages, their families, and the shared values of justice and dignity.
This moment challenges us to resist despair and cynicism, to reject the voices of hate and extremism, and to cling to the belief that justice and compassion are not just aspirations but imperatives. To the families of the hostages: your strength inspires us. You remind us that hope is not passive—it is a choice, a commitment, and a sacred obligation. We stand with you, and we will not stop until every captive is home.
As we anxiously await the implementation of this ceasefire, we pray that it is not the end of the story but the start of something greater: a future shaped by the courage to face hard truths, the determination to pursue justice, and the unrelenting belief in the possibility of peace.
Shabbat Shalom.
With resolve and solidarity,
Rabbi Asher Knight
Rabbi Beth Nichols
Rabbi Lexi Erdheim
Cantor Danielle Rodnizki
