“Let My People Go” A Passover Prayer of Freedom for the Israeli Hostages

As we sit at our Seder table tonight to celebrate the Exodus of our ancestors from slavery in Egypt,
The words “Let My People Go” resonate in the depths of our souls.
Our hearts are with our Israeli brothers and sisters who have been kidnapped by Hamas.
The bitter taste of Maror is on our tongues, our tears are in the salt water.
On this night of freedom we cannot rejoice until every soul heartlessly held captive is released.
Help us, God, to bring them home.
Fill Israel’s leaders with the strength, the wisdom and the power
to negotiate the release of the hostages who are waiting and praying for deliverance.
Until that day, watch over the hostages, God.
Let them know they are not alone, and not forgotten.
Fill them and their families with courage, perseverance, strength
and hope for the blessed day of freedom that is coming.
We pray the seas will part, the hostages will walk free,
and we will welcome a new time of peace for Israel!
On that day we will sing a new song to You, O God, Who frees the captives,
A song of rejoicing and gratitude.
May that day come soon.

Rabbi Naomi Levy is founder of Nashuva and the author of “Einstein and the Rabbi.”