In this week’s Torah Portion, Vayigash, weeping is contagious. It starts in Genesis 44, with Joseph unable to restrain himself as he finally reveals his identity to his brothers. Then we have Benjamin crying so hard he buries his head on Joseph’s neck. A chapter later we see Jacob and Joseph breaking out in tears. Once the well of tears opens, they cannot be contained. Can there be a more emotional moment than seeing a child you long thought dead, standing in front of you alive?
Last month, during the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, the tears were similarly contagious. Watch the videos, one after another with mother and daughter reunited. Families relieved that their particular ordeal was over. Families full of sadness that the ordeals of others still not resolved
In our sanctuary, we have new picture and a new name of a hostage. Little Avigail whose smiling face greeted us each Friday for a month and a half is back home with her family. We have replaced her image with that of Itay Svirsky, currently being held hostage by Hamas, and who may never find his way to safety again. A 38-year-old life coach from Tel Aviv, he was visiting his mother in Kibbutz Be’eri when Hamas attacked on October 7th. 88 members of the kibbutz were slaughtered on that fateful day, including Itay’s mother Orit, who was killed right in front of her son. Itay was one of thirty kibbutzniks held hostage. We pray for their safety and the safety of the 109 other people who remain in captivity. May the happy tears of family members being reunited resound in each of their families’ houses, just like they did in the house of Israel thousands of years ago. Ken Yehi Ratzon, may it be so!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex