Until They All Come Home

by Rabbi Audrey Pollack, February 1, 2025

Within the last few weeks, we have finally!! been able to witness and celebrate the release of more of the hostages – Israeli civilians, soldiers, and Thai nationals – held for more than 475 days in the dungeons of Hamas in Gaza. Unfortunately, pidyon shevuyim, the need to ransom captives, is not new in Jewish history. Throughout our people’s history many thousands of Jews were captured and held for ransom and Jewish communities went to extraordinary lengths to redeem hostages. In Talmud Bava Batra 8b, the rabbis teach that pidyon shvuyim is a “mitzvah rabbah” – a great mitzvah. The passage goes on to say that being held captive is worse than starvation and death because of the compounded suffering that one endures. Our teacher Maimonides rules that a person who ignore this mitzvah is guilty of transgressing other mitzvot as well: “you shall not harden your heart” (Deut. 15:7); “you shall not stand idly by the blood of your brother” (Lev. 19:16); and “you shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev. 19:16). Maimonides wrote letters urging his fellow Jews to redeem captives and collected money for pidyon shvuyim. The 16th century authoritative code of Jewish law, the Shulchan Aruch declares that “one who delays in ransoming a captive is considered like a murderer.” (Yoreh Deah 252:3).

Prayers calling upon God for Matir Asurim, to bring freedom to the captive, can be found in our liturgy, at least as early as the third century CE. There is a tradition to recite a special Mi Shebeirach prayer for the freedom of those held hostage. This is recited only in the time when there is a specific, known hostage situation involving Israelis or Jews. However, the phrase matir asurim, is also part of our daily prayers as well. The specific language comes from Psalm 146:7:

עֹשֶׂ֤ה מִשְׁפָּ֨ט ׀ לָעֲשׁוּקִ֗ים נֹתֵ֣ן לֶ֭חֶם לָרְעֵבִ֑ים יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה מַתִּ֥יר אֲסוּרִֽים׃

Oseh mishpat la’ashukim, notein lechem la’re’evim, Adonai matir asurim

(God is the one) who secures justice for those who are wronged, gives food to the hungry. GOD sets captives free…

Matir asurim is one of the daily blessings we recite every morning:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יי אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם מַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheynu Melech Haolam matir asurim

We praise You, Eternal God, whose presence fills creation, You bring freedom to the captive.

The same words appear in the second blessing of the Amidah, Gevurot, the prayer that speaks about God’s power, one element of which is the ability to “bring freedom to the captive.” :

סוֹמֵךְ נוֹפְ֒לִים וְרוֹפֵא חוֹלִים וּמַתִּיר אֲסוּרִים וּמְקַיֵּם אֱמוּנָתוֹ לִישֵׁנֵי עָפָר

Someych noflim v’rofey cholim u’matir asurim

You support the fallen and heal the sick, You bring freedom to the captive and keep faith with those who sleep in the dust.

Since 10-7-2023 we have all waited anxiously for the hostages safe return. We will continue to pray for the release of all the hostages, for their healing, and for their loved ones’ healing of body and spirit until they all come home. We also mourn those who will be returned from Hamas’ captivity in body bags, along with all whom we have lost since 10-7-2023. We are marking the days. Every day counts. We will continue to make sure their names are heard, and to press for their release. In the words of the prophet Jeremiah, “And there is hope for your future, declares God, that your children shall return to their country.” (31:17)

L’shalom,

Rabbi Audrey S. Pollack

Filed under: Rabbi's Message

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