Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage (body) yet unreturned from Gaza.
One family still waiting. The last one. Whatever it felt like till now — this must feel like salt on an existing wound.
Yet what struck me was an incredible message from “the hostages and missing families forum” shared —from the family of Ran Gvili —that now the rallies that have been held over the past two years on Saturday night will look different.
In short, they are asking that instead of the weekly Saturday night rallies demanding the release of the hostages — there be Friday night gatherings for Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming the Shabbat) instead.
The announcement continued by stating that there will be a time for a rally of gratitude, a final gathering to thank the people of Israel for their incredible support through this journey and a plea that the people of Israel and the Jewish communities worldwide continue to support them in the fight to bring Rani home.
What can I say?
Yisrael. The name given to our Patriarch Jacob in this week’s Parsha —as he was grappling and struggling with the guardian angel of his brother and adversary Esau. The name means “for you have wrestled with Gd and with man and you have overcome”.
The essence of Yisrael is the supreme strength and transcendent ability to engage on the deepest of levels in the shallowest of places. The ability to straddle the upper and lower echelons and to prevail. The struggle to draw down G-dliness and to elevate earthiness. You choose the wording — the truth remains the same.
It is this name that the Jewish nation is named after — Bnai Yisrael— the Children of Israel. It is this quality that our Patriarchs and Matriarchs personified and bequeathed to their progeny. It is the basis of the herculean strength and insatiable hunger of the Jew to transform the world and to make it a Gdly and Goodly place each with our distinct style.
My heart goes out to the Gvili family yet my soul soars for them and for all the other amazing and inspiring former hostages and families — for their faith, strength and heroism in holding the torch resolute and proud as true Bnei Yisrael - Children of Israel.
We have a job to do — celebrating more Shabbat is one inspiring move that we can all do in the merit of Ran Gvili to ensure that what Ran and his family stand for continues to get stronger and stronger — Am Yisrael Chai!
With best wishes for a Shabbat Shalom,