"You are in good hands."

 אתם בידיים טובות

These were the first welcoming words that every hostage heard this morning in his first minutes of regained freedom. And really, what more can one ask for than the full trust of being in good hands?

As I write these lines, the entire country is brimming over with elation, and relief, and a hope for a better future. Instinctively, we feel that our dear family members have returned. How we all wish we could embrace these 20 men who have endured hell for the past two years. Just like a mother embraces her child after he wakes up from a nightmare, and just like a good educator reaches out to an adolescent arriving from a desperate childhood, we open our good hands to welcome and protect, while constantly praying for blessings and protection from above.

In a few hours, we will totally merge with the holiday of Simchat Torah. This year, finally, with the joy that has evaded us completely for far too long, never forgetting those who have sacrificed their lives to bring us to this epic day.

B’Ahava,

Dr. Chaim Peri

Director Emeritus of Yemin Orde Youth Village and Founder of Village Way Educational Initiatives