Tomorrow night, Jews all over the world celebrate the 1st night of Passover, also known as חג החרות – the Festival of Freedom – commemorating the exodus of the People of Israel from the slavery in Egypt.
This year, with all the difficulties we have experienced in Israel and its region, particularly since October 7th, 2023, and in light of the 133 missing hostages, still being held by the HAMAS is Gaza, commemorating freedom has so much extra meaning.
So here’s wishing you all – and in particular the hostages in Gaza – a true celebration (and granting) of freedom.
And in addition, a wish that Israel, Palestine, the entire Near East, and in fact the entire world, will see peace prevail, and in the words of Jeremiah (31:16): וְיֵשׁ תִּקְוָה לְאַחֲרִיתֵךְ נְאֻם יְהוָה וְשָׁבוּ בָנִים לִגְבוּלָם (=for your work will be rewarded, declares the Lord, they will return from the land of the enemy)