Posted on October 13, 2025 by Rabbi Noah Diamondstein
Dear Temple Beth-El,
Two years ago today on the Jewish calendar began the most difficult period in the history of the State of Israel, and a dark time for global Jewry. We mourned and prayed and hoped for this day for two years of war, over and over again invoking God as “Matir Asurim,” “Freer of the Captive.”
At long last, the day has come for us to convert that prayer of desperation into a prayer of gratitude—the last remaining living hostages have come home!!! While we still await, with great anxiety, the return of the remains of those hostages who did not survive the brutality of their captivity, today we may most assuredly celebrate the reunion of 20 families and the healing of Israel’s national soul, both in the Land of Israel and in the Diaspora.
As I taught on the High Holy Days, our tradition teaches that the entire Torah was created in order to advance the cause of peace and wholeness. We will sing and pray and dance with Torah tonight, holding fast to our prayers and dreams for a more peaceful world—a peace that for the first time in a very long time actually feels like it may be within reach.
Indeed, this blessed day falling on Simchat Torah could not possibly be more fitting. We now can celebrate our reading of the Torah with hearts full of joy and gratitude. I urge you: come to Simchat Torah at Temple tonight. Be in community. Sing Hatikvah with us. Dance with your Torah scroll. Sing loud and celebrate! After the Nova Festival massacre, the slogan so many of us shared was “We will dance again.” We owe it both to the victims and to the survivors to dance and celebrate this moment as one. I hope to see you tonight.
In deep gratitude and in celebration,
Rabbi Noah Diamondstein
