These days, the entire world is witnessing hopeful towards the agreement that allows the release of all hostages.
This means that, God willing, before Simchat Torah, the hostages will be able to dance with their families again, hug their loved ones, and enjoy freedom once again, as we did on the holiday of Passover, the festival of liberation.
But this time, with an even greater nuance, since Sukkot is a time of joy, and there is no greater joy than being free again, seeing the kidnapped return to their homes, and being embraced by their families.
Interestingly, the Torah could have established the Feast of Booths on Passover, when the people of Israel left Egypt and tasted freedom after slavery in Egypt.
However, we celebrate Sukkot six months later, at a time when the weather begins to change, when the rains and cold weather arrive. Why?
To teach us that faith does not depend on comfort. We don’t build the sukkah when spring begins and it’s pleasant to be outdoors; rather, we build it when the challenge begins, when it takes a conscious effort to leave the comfort of the house and go out into a fragile dwelling, with storms and rain, but with trust in Hashem.
Thus, Sukkot conveys an eternal message to us: it is not enough to live Judaism in places or times where it is easy. God calls us to step out of our comfort zone, to live and teach His Torah even in places where there is difficulty, uncertainty, or challenges.
For it is precisely there, in the midst of discomfort, that true faith is born. There, joy is revealed that does not depend on external circumstances, but on an inner connection with Hashem.
On this Shabbat of Chol HaMoed Sukkot, when prayers for our brothers and sisters in Israel still resonate, we raise our voices with gratitude and hope.
We thank Hashem for every sign of peace, for every life that returns home, and for allowing us to learn again and again that true joy is not sought in comfort, but in fidelity, effort, and complete trust in Him.
May we celebrate this Simchat Torah with great joy and with the news that all the kidnapped have returned home to their families.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Refael Cohen