They redefine humanity

The euphoria has certainly waned a little.

The claim that it was all over, was hard to believe then- and certainly hasn't proven out.

We still have too many bodies waiting to be returned home. H*mas, as usual, is playing d*ngerous games.

They have no intention of putting down their we*pons, nor relinquishing their governance of G*za.

And as overjoyed as we are to welcome our live h*stages home, we are now only beginning the process of hearing their stories, which are more h*rrifying than we could have imagined.

Believe me, we imagined.

Though there are beautiful smiles on their faces, you can see the residue of the last two years in their eyes. They are so pale that they are almost translucent, deprived of sun and nutrients.

But yet, eizei giborim- what heroes.

A study in resilience.

I've been studying resilience for a long time, have listened to and told hundreds of stories.

But to attempt to process what they experienced, how they came out with faith and emotional strength...

How they were upheld by love even in the darkest moments of t*rture, d*ception, and d*pravity...

I don't think we can begin to understand it.

Matan Angrest was released and within 48 hours went to his commander, Cpt Daniel Perez's, f*neral (whose body was retrieved from G*za) and stood in front of the crowd, knees shaking, and spoke from the heart, comforting the mourners.

Who can conceptualize people like this?

I know I'm not the only one who has spent the last few days in a daze- taking in all the reunions, all the stories, the h*rror, the joy, in wonderment.

Learning anew what it means to be human.

Our en*mies who did this to our people are the opposite; they lost their humanity.

But these men and their families and friends- they redefine humanity.

They have reached new levels of human strength and courage.

Of the true meaning of faith.

Of what it means to live for love.

Love of each other, love of our land, and love of God.

May God bless them all with all of the good this world has to offer- and may all they know no more sorrow.