Said Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai, Great is peace for all the blessings are included in it. (Psalms 29:11): “May God grant strength to God’s people; may God grant God’s people peace.” [Leviticus Rabbah 9:9]
The Rabbinical Assembly welcomes the much-needed ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. We thank Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli government for supporting this measure, which is an important step toward Israelis and all residents of the region living securely and with peace. We thank President Biden and his administration for their tireless efforts to negotiate this deal.
Today’s agreement marks a relief for the tens of thousands of Israelis – including Conservative/Masorti rabbis and members of Masorti communities - in northern Israel, who have been placed in danger and too often uprooted by Hezbollah attacks over the past 14 months. We look forward to the day when all the evacuees can return home safely.
At the same time, 418 days and nights since the beginning of the war, we continue to say that the commandment to redeem captives stands above all other obligations. Maimonides writes that “There is no greater mitzvah than redeeming captives.” We call on the Israeli government to devote all its resources and efforts to the release of the 101 hostages who are being held by Hamas so they can return home to their families or be properly buried, and we can ultimately see an end to the war in Gaza as well.
May we soon experience these comforting words from Jeremiah: “And there is hope for your future —declares God: Your children shall return to their country.” (Jeremiah 31:17) “Be not dismayed O’ Israel, I will deliver you from far away, your folk from the land of captivity, and Jacob again shall have calm and quiet, with no one to trouble them.” (Jeremiah 46:27)