This week, Jews around the world remember Passover, a time when an ancient Pharaoh held enslaved Jews in Egypt and would not let them go to worship God. Today, for the Jewish families of 133 hostages still held by Hamas, the message of this time takes on a whole new meaning.
This year, Tzohar, a rabbinic group, have urged families to leave an empty chair with a picture of a hostage on it. “There is great hardship” this Passover, said Tzohar’s head rabbi, David Stav. “Even at the most traditional Seder night, the practice is that we also mention that which is missing and difficult.”
On October 7, Hamas invaded Israel and kidnapped 253 men, women, and children. Many women and children are still held hostage including Shiri Bibas and her 4-year old son Ariel and 10-month old baby Kfir. Hamas has said that they are dead, but it is difficult to verify. Some sources say only 40 hostages out of the 133 still unaccounted for are still alive.
What is also hard to verify is who the hostages are. Most media outlets do not share the names or show photos of the hostages. It is not certain why.
But this week, Jewish families around the world are setting place at their table with a photo of the hostages to let them know that they are not forgotten.
More power to Eugene and buy him a cake of cleansing soap, then send him back to Jerusalem, then to Gaza to pray over the perfidy of Hamas. All in Jesus name.
Thanks for being interested and active in blessing Israel. It matters!! Shalom