Welcome home – Romi, Emily, and Doron!
Welcome home – Karina, Naama, Daniella, and Lira!
Celebrations have erupted across Israel over the past week, as hostages return to their families and communities. After over 470 days in captivity, finally, finally, they have come home.
Bo, come home, God tells us in this week’s Torah portion. After centuries of slavery, it is time to shed our bondage and find our way to freedom. This week we begin the journey, next week we cross the sea out of Egypt.
The path home is called in Hebrew Derek Eretz – the way to the land, which is also the term the rabbis have used to show the right way to behave with our fellow human beings. Derek Eretz refers to a code of conduct for how to treat one another in a respectful and ethical manner. This is also the name the Israeli government has given to the mission to return the hostages home.
So come home, our brave young men and women, our beleaguered citizens, our heroic humans. After all you have suffered, the time has come to return. We will not rest until all of you are finally back home!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex