By Inna Rogatchi, Times of Israel—
There is no other Jewish holiday about which I’ve created and wrote more than about these most dark eight days in any given year during which we are smiling and relaxed every evening being reassured by the growing number of candle flames in our various Hanukkiahs, being warmed up by latkes of all kinds, being laughing at a dreidel games of children. Being happy and re-charged, in the midst of a climatic annual darkness.
Not so this year. As much as I strive to be in a Hanukkah-enlightened mood, my thoughts are gleaned to the tunnels or the other dumped and dark places where 138 of our people are kept hostages for over two months after the tragic morning of the Simchat Torah. This is the second major Jewish holiday, I am thinking non-stop, that those people, their families and friends are spending in a sheer nightmare, 24/7, for the third month and counting.
The same as the families and friends of all those over 1 200 people who were murdered, many of them in the most barbarian way, on that terrible morning.
The same as the families of about 7 000 wounded people, some of them wounded really badly with amputated limbs, massive burns, and other serious traumas that has changed their lives and the lives of their families forever.
The same as the families and friends of the people who are still listed missing, after over two months of search.
The same as the families of the people who could not be identified. There are many of them. Although one is more than enough.
The same as tens of brave and diligent people who were and in some cases still are identifying the bodies. Or what has been left of them. The same as everyone from all those hundreds of our devoted people who were and still are working non-stop being members and volunteers of Mogen David, Zaka and United Hatzalah. Continue Reading…