I want to share a beautiful song with you, Come Back performed here by two Israelis, Cantor Shirel Richman and Shinshinit Gaya Zohar.
Earlier this week, Hamas released three civilian Israeli hostages, all young women, in exchange for 90 convicted Palestinian prisoners. Today, Hamas released four Israeli soldiers, all women ages 19 and 20, in exchange for 200 convicted Palestinians.
Come Back, or tachzor תחזור in Hebrew, was written by Idan Raichel just a few weeks after Hamas murdered 1,139 people and kidnapped about 250 more. They have been hostages for 477 days as I write this. About 85 hostages remain, of which about 50 are believed to be alive.
Here is the video. I have put a translation of the lyrics below the video.
Come Back
The hours of fatigue that don’t let time pass by
The heavy legs that can’t find a reason to move
The days and nights like the faces in the pictures
Everything stops moving when you aren’t hereAnd I wake from a dream and feel you are close
And then call out to you from the nightCome back, come back today
I so wanted you to come
I wish that you’ll show up today without advance notice
I’m a tower of light
That from the distance will appear again
I wish that you’ll show up today without advance notice
Gaya Zohar had some heartfelt thoughts to share about her personal experiences after the October 7 attack. You can watch her here.
May the day soon come when all of the hostages have returned home. And may the day soon come when all of the inhabitants of the Middle East live in peace.
This article has been updated to include details of the hostage exchange on January 25, 2025.
Thank you, I was wondering how my mind was going to save what I heard this evening. Your posting has cemented the melody and the words.
We appreciated the music and message so much. Thank you for sharing, Art. We still miss all of you, too.
Bob and Valerie
We miss you, too, Valerie. I hope that Bob and you are doing well in your southern home.