On October 13th—the eve of Simchat Torah, and, according to the Jewish calendar, exactly two years after the Hamas massacre—twenty Israeli hostages returned to their families. The images of their liberation, their reunions, and the joy in Israel filled our screens and our hearts. There were tears of relief, embraces that seemed as though they would never end, and families reunited once more.

The biblical words from Psalm 126 were fulfilled before our very eyes:

When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, and our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them!”
Psalm 126:1–2

A transformation took place—from sorrow and hope to an indescribable, overwhelming joy!