Home for Pesach

 

When my oldest son entered the army. our family acted as if no one had ever been a soldier before. Proud is not the word. We took pictures, bought presents, sent him off with goodies, and welcomed him with open arms every time he had leave.

His first Pesach we were thrilled to have him home. As the holiday drew near a year later, he warned us not to expect him to get out. I was disappointed but understood. He would be out of the army in the summer and the following year, if all was well, he would be home for Pesach.

Erev Pesach morning of that year, while I was working in the kitchen, I happened to glance out of my window. Walking down the street was a young man in a green uniform. As he drew nearer, I saw he had my son’s gait. Another couple of feet closer and I knew it was my son.

“I don’t believe it!” I shrieked and went flying out of the house and down the street with my apron on and happy tears running down my cheeks.

“What’s wrong?” my son asked, rather alarmed.

“Nothing,” I sniffled. “I’m just so happy to have you home.”

We all were. Since then, I have yet to tell that story to a mother who has a child in the army without her getting teary-eyed.

That was a quarter of a century ago. Now there are so many who won’t be home for Pesach.

My thoughts naturally turn to my neighbor, Ditza Or, whose son, Avitan, has been held in captivity for over six months. I allow myself to daydream of him coming home. Of course, it wouldn’t be a surprise. The whole world will know when the captives are released. Journalists will be all over. And we, the people of Shilo, will stop whatever we are doing and greet him with songs of joy and tears of happiness.

I understand that we have no idea what condition he or any of the other hostages are in. I realize they may never come home. But Pesach is the time of miracles. Just last week The Almighty made a major one saving us from the over 300 projectiles fired at Israel from Iran. He will definitely make more and so I continue to beg and plead for the safe return of all our hostages, soldiers, injured, and evacuees, along with the complete end to evil and full redemption.

Best wishes for the best Pesach ever.