Hostage Survivor Yossef Haim Ohana Finds Unity in Sukkot Ritual

Yossef Haim Ohana, who was held captive by Hamas in Gaza, is celebrating the Sukkot holiday with a renewed sense of meaning this year. Last year, he was still in Hamas tunnels during the preparations for the holiday, but this year he purchased the "Four Species" himself, recalling a gesture from his father while he was still a captive.

In a video released with his father ahead of the holiday, Ohana shared that his father had bought the Four Species for him last year while he was in captivity. After his release, he managed to fulfill the commandment at the last possible moment, stating, "But half an hour before the end of the holiday, I merited to recite the blessing on the lulav." This year, he expressed, the excitement is even greater simply from the ability to purchase them himself.

Ohana used the occasion to urge the public to focus on unity while observing the Four Species ritual. He explained that the differences between the species, which are taken together and held close to the heart, remind him of the diversity within the Israeli people and the potential for unity despite differences.

Alongside his father, Ohana transformed his personal memory of captivity into a shared call for unity as the holiday approaches. Following his release from Hamas captivity, Ohana launched a crowdfunding campaign to aid his physical and mental rehabilitation, setting a goal of three million shekels. Now, alongside his recovery process, he is also sharing family moments and the sense of closure the holiday brings.