A True Chag Sameach

10/13/2025

Last night and early this morning, millions of Jews around the world were glued to their screens, watching the return of the hostages.

To be a Jew is to be part of the largest family in the world.

Families have their moments—sometimes the connection feels strong, sometimes less so—but they are always family. And the occasions when that bond is felt most deeply are moments that we should preciously cherish.

We felt that connection two years ago, on and in the aftermath of October 7th—with pain, tears, and sorrow. Today, we feel it again—with joy, love, and celebration, as the hostages return home.

Tonight, as we welcome Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, we celebrate the completion of the annual Torah reading. But this year, our celebration of the Torah’s completion is joined by the completion of its people.

The Jewish story—and G-d’s covenant with us—rests on three eternal pillars:

The Torah of Israel

The People of Israel

The Land of Israel

In this week’s Torah portion, Vezot Habracha, the final parsha of the year which we read on Simchat Torah, Moses reminds us of this threefold covenant:

“Torah tzivah lanu Moshe morasha kehilat Yaakov” — The Torah is an inheritance for all Jews.

“Vayehi bishurun melech behitasef rashei am yachad shivtei Yisrael” — G-d’s presence rests upon the Jewish people when they are together.

And G-d’s final words to Moses reaffirm His promise: “This is the land I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; I will give it to their descendants.”

Throughout our storied history, each of these three pillars has been tested and tried, but each has endured. The Jews kept the Torah. The Torah kept the Jews. And both never forgot Israel.

Two years ago, on October 7th, we celebrated the Torah of Israel, but the People of Israel were under brutal attack, and the Land of Israel was in grave danger.

But tonight, on the second yahrzeit of October 7th, we celebrate them all together:

We celebrate our Torah, G-d's great gift to the Jews.We celebrate our People, now healing with the return of the hostages.And we celebrate our Land, which has endured one of its darkest hours and risen strong.

And we thank G-d for these three eternal gifts, each a precious pillar of the Jewish story.