delray beach orthodox rabbi

                                             
                                                                                            B"H
 
 Why is this night different - a prayer for the freedom of the hostages
 
My Seder this year will be different, void of true festive spirit. How can I praise God for freeing my ancestors when my brothers and sisters are lingering in Gaza? How can I celebrate the redemption of my people when soldiers are still dying on the battlefield? My heart yearns for the solace of yesteryear, but my thoughts remain stuck on October 7th.
 
As we prepare our Seder table it behooves us to think of those who will not be having a Seder. We should all leave two vacant seats at our table; one representing those murdered since October 7th and another to represent the hostages who are still being held in captivity. I would encourage everyone to teach their children and grandchildren that the Jewish people are one family.
 
Perhaps we should add an extra prayer after the mah nishtanah.
 
Heavenly Father, we call out in pain as we can’t understand your silence. Please God, we recite the words v’hi sheamdah recalling that in every generation there are those that seek to annihilate the Jewish people but you God save us and ask you to save us once again. We cry out to the leaders of the free world to not abandon Israel and its people in their time of despair. We ask them to gain moral clarity and not reward terrorism laden murderous regimes. We ask them to see through libelous innuendo against Israel and understand that a Palestinian state is merely a Hamas state masquerading as a partner in peace.
 
And to our own family we ask that we remain steadfast in our resolve in support of Israel and never abandon the ultimate dream of bringing home the hostages. We pray that the solidarity of the Jewish community that began on October 7th continues even after all hostages are free. We pray that Jewish  university students will not be tempted by an anti-Israel agenda. We beseech the Almighty to give our youth the courage to stand up for Israel regardless of the pressure they are facing.
 
And perhaps it’s time to revise the final words of the Haggadah by asking why wait until next year to be in Jerusalem. So instead of l'shanah haba’ah (next year in Jerusalem) let’s say: Hashana b’yerushalayim (this year in Jerusalem). We ask that all supporters of Israel show publicly their solidarity with Israel and make plans to visit asap.
 
May the Almighty bless all who bless Israel and may a new dawn arise where all peoples in the Middle East dwell together in harmony, security and peace.
 
Thank you so much,
 
Rabbi Jack Engel