Dear Friends,
I am writing to encourage all of us – shuls, schools, and individuals – to join together on the 11th of Cheshvan, this Wednesday night and Thursday, in praying for the wellbeing and the release of the hostages.
It is on this Shabbos Lech Lecha that we will read of Avraham hearing that his own family member had been taken captive, moving him to rush to battle in order to save him. And it is on the 11th of Cheshvan that we observe the yahrzeit of Rachel Imeinu whose cries over her missing children are responded to with the Divine reassurance, v’shavu vanim l’gvulam, “your children will return home.”
Yesterday in Yerushalayim, Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, and I spent some time with some of the families whose immediate relatives are being held hostage. When we shared with them the intention to galvanize Jews everywhere to pray for them this Thursday, they briefly lit up as they found much strength and comfort in that.
Our prayers to Hashem are of immeasurable importance. Our coming together at this time will also demonstrate to the world and to the families the priority that we place on the wellbeing of each and every one of the hostages.
We specifically suggest Tehillim 121 and 142 followed by Acheinu.
May HKBH hear and respond to our tefillos l’tovah, bringing a quick, decisive, and positive conclusion to this terrible chapter and delivering the Geulah Sheleima.
בצפייה לישועה קרובה
Rabbi Moshe Hauer
