The Short Vort by Rabbi Eisenman

The anticipation was unbearable.

It was a time we were both waiting for since October 7th, Simchas Torah in Israel.

He was called from his house on that Shabbos and except for a few hours here and there had not been home for any extended period.

Finally, Shabbos Chanukah had arrived and the time had come to reunite, to bond,to hug.

I waited at the door, my heart pounding so loud I was sure it could be heard all over the apartment building.

Then I heard the door begin to open.

The slight sound of a door handle beginning to turn.

Suddenly he was there.

The person who so often in life I took for granted and never realized the privilege it is to be in their presence.

As I saw his face and especially his smile, he was my hero, our protector, however, most importantly, he was my son.

Here he was standing in front of me.

The major reason I had spent gladly to purchase the last ticket on the last El-Al plane which would bring me to Israel in time for lighting the first Chanuka light was for this moment.

Here he was in real life, a little haggard, more than a little tired, but, most importantly, safe and sound.

No worrds were needed.

No verbal communication was expected.

There was only thing to do- the most basic of human connections.

We embraced in a hug which transcended the normative hugs of this world.

We engaged in a hug reminiscent of the hug of Yakov upon seeing this Yosef.

No words were exchanged- our physical demonstration of unconditional love conveyed our feelings more accurately than words could have ever done.

We stood holding each other and I wised the hug would last forever and ever.

Everything in this world was worth this hug.

If I would have been transported back to Passaic as that moment, I would have been overflowing with gratitude.

My hero, the man who puts his life on the line in a physical and spiritual demonstration of his commitment to the Jewish people, was in my embrace and I never wanted it to end.

But, above all, I was holding my son.

Thank you Hashem for allowing me this privilege.

It will go down in the annals of hugs as one of the greatest hugs of all time.

For me, it was appreciating that which I so too often take for granted, the Zechus to embrace my son.