Shehechiyanu v’kiyemanu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh is such a beautiful blessing that we say around the holiday time, thanking God for allowing us to reach this day. I feel deeply emotional and profoundly grateful to be here in Jerusalem as word spreads that the final hostages will be coming home from Gaza.
Two years ago, October 7th, was one of the darkest days in Jewish history. I remember being here at AISH, and I remember the night before, having dinner on the roof of AISH on Friday night, which was also Simchat Torah, with two amazing families, the Tratt family and the Gerber family. The next day, the entire world changed.
As I look back on these last two years, so many things stand out. First and foremost, it is the Jews who serve, the men and women of the security forces of Israel, especially the IDF. These soldiers didn’t ask questions. They understood that their brothers and sisters were in trouble and went to war to save them. So many young soldiers whose lives were cut short in the very prime of their lives, and our hearts will always be with their families who have given the ultimate sacrifice.
I’m reminded of the first Jew, Abraham, who, upon hearing that his nephew had been kidnapped, didn’t hesitate. Abraham, the very model of kindness and generosity, took up arms to rescue his family. Our soldiers did the same, and our hearts are broken for those we lost along the way. The world now knows that you cannot touch even a single hair on the head of a Jew without the entire Jewish people rising in defense.
There are those who have demonized us for what has happened over these two years, yet I can tell you with absolute conviction that I have never been more proud to be a Jew. To see how we fought for our brothers and sisters, how we prayed, how we united. Everywhere I went these two years, every synagogue I entered, every community I visited, Jews of every background all said Tehillim for the hostages. All poured their hearts out to the Almighty, begging for mercy, begging for the return of our family.
Early on, I was asked whether the Jews of the Diaspora were paying attention, and the answer is yes, they were. They raised enormous sums, sent endless supplies, filled duffel bags for our soldiers, and rose up as one people. Yet we also saw who our enemies were. Even as many stood by us, there were others who revealed their hatred.
The murder, the kidnapping, and the violation of our people unleashed a torrent of antisemitism. On campuses and in cities around the world, people who call themselves educated revealed how morally bankrupt they are. What was even more painful was seeing misguided Jews who turned against their own, attacking Israel and aligning themselves with our enemies.
Through it all, at AISH, we chose to double down. Our Vision 2030 originally sought to bring three million Jews to study Torah, and thank G-d, today we have over four million people engaging with our content. We have expanded that vision to reach every single Jew in the world because every Jew matters. Every Jew is precious. We will be announcing our new AISH University initiative after the holiday to move this important goal forward.
Over these past two years, we have undertaken so many projects that are transforming lives. Just this Sukkot, I thought back to that meal on October 6th two years ago with the Tratt and Gerber families. From that very table came blessings. The Tratt family has generously funded the building of our new AISH Studio to share our message across the globe, an idea first suggested by Mark Levin five years ago and now made real through their generosity.
The Gerber family, longtime friends of AISH, dedicated a magnificent new doorway at the yeshiva, a gateway through which countless Jews will enter to begin their journey of learning and rediscovery. We just celebrated its opening this week, a true doorway to Heaven. Both of these families not only support AISH but also devote themselves tirelessly to the Jewish people and Israel.
Last week, we were blessed again through the Erber family, who each year dedicate a Torah. The past two years, they have dedicated Torahs in memory of those lost on October 7th and for the IDF. We brought the entire yeshiva to the site of the Nova Festival for the completion of one of those Torahs, and we will continue the celebration on Hoshana Rabbah night on the rooftop of AISH.
That is the answer to our enemies. You can try to destroy the Jewish people, but you cannot destroy the Torah. The Torah will always live. It is the eternal gift of the Almighty, and we will write new Torahs again and again.
Last year, with the Erbers, we celebrated the writing of a Torah that by that afternoon was already in Gaza with one of the IDF units. Every unit that went in carried a Torah with them. That is AISH: wisdom, love, and responsibility. Wisdom connects us to our Torah and heritage, love binds us to one another, and responsibility drives us to act for the Jewish people.
Over these two years, I have watched the Jewish nation live those values. I want to express my deep gratitude to President Donald Trump and to the government of the United States of America for standing with Israel, for their unwavering efforts to help us through one of the hardest periods in modern Jewish history, and for helping secure the release of the final hostages. This is what true friendship looks like.
This Sukkot, the festival of joy, brings a happiness unlike any other. The return of our brothers and sisters is the greatest gift of all. We thank the Almighty for bringing us to this moment in time.
Let us continue to pray, to learn Torah, to remain united, to take responsibility, and to love one another. May the Almighty bless each of you with a joyous holiday and a life filled with strength, purpose, and peace.
With a heart overflowing with love for our incredible Jewish nation, may this Sukkot fill our lives with light, unity, and unending hope.
