The Pit

Formerly captive Israelis are now telling stories of being held below ground in deep, dark places. The hostages felt scared, lonely, and hungry. Perhaps the emotional consequences of being abducted and held captive, like living in a pit, can only be described by a hostage. Yet, the Torah has also foreshadowed these stories.

Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit. We read in Chapter 37 of Genesis of his ordeal. Joseph was his father’s favorite among his 12 sons. Moreover, Joseph was precocious and a prognosticator. Unable to read the room, Joseph freely shared his grand dreams of leadership with his family. His impending success was too much for his brothers to bear. Yet, what kind of people would plot the death of their brother?

Often, I hear Israelis and Palestinians described as brothers and sisters. Compelled by devotion to all humanity, such opinions reflect an honorable desire to cherish every life in equal measure. As I feel obligated to honor each person as created in the Divine image, I also sense naivete in that understanding.

The October 7 attack was indecent and indecorous, even more so for those described as brothers and sisters. As if mimicking Joseph’s brothers, Hamas abducted 240 people from Israel.  Prisoners were thrown into pits fashioned as tunnels beneath Gaza’s mosques and hospitals.  Some are now freed. Others are still captive, missing, or murdered.

Once hopeful Israelis now question can we ever have peace with Palestinian brothers and sisters? The memory of murder, rape, and abduction will not soon fade. Torah poses this question. If Joseph’s brothers could treat him so terribly, why should we hope for better for Israel? Ultimately, we must hope, pray, and work for peace. Chastened by the crimes of Hamas, we must find other partners for reconciliation. We have no choice but to pursue peace or we will live in a pit of our own making, a pit of despair.

Rabbi Evan J. Krame