Three Years After October 7th, The Emotional Scars of Loss Remain

Three years after the events of Simchat Torah, many Israelis have rebuilt their lives, returning to homes, schools, and routines. However, the author reflects on the profound and lasting emotional impact of loss, particularly the intangible items that define a home and a sense of belonging. Even as physical structures are repaired or rebuilt, the author argues that the feeling of 'home' is not automatically restored.

The article emphasizes that individuals forced to flee their homes, often with mere moments' notice, could only grab essential items like phones or medication, leaving behind cherished possessions. These lost items, ranging from clothing and photo albums to heirlooms and personal collections, represent more than just material value; they are deeply intertwined with personal identity and memory. The author shares her own experience of losing items collected over two decades, which made her house a home, and how replacing them with new items does not fill the void left by the familiar and personal.

This sense of displacement and impermanence persists even after rebuilding. The author describes a feeling of being a guest in her own new home, with a constant sense of fragility, as if everything could disappear again. While material losses from October 7th have been replaced, the emotional space remains unfilled. Each new purchase serves as a reminder of what was lost, and the process of rebuilding is a testament to the fact that the previous life is gone.

Three years on, the author calls for remembrance of the deeper losses beyond people and property: security, peace, and peace of mind. Many are still living amidst emotional ruins, struggling to reconnect with a place whose sense of belonging was destroyed. The author appeals to political leaders, especially during election campaigns, to approach the public with compassion and sensitivity, acknowledging that many still feel homeless, both literally and figuratively. The article concludes by urging leaders not to squander the concept of 'home,' which is no longer a given for most Israelis, and to remember the profound sense of loss that continues to affect the nation.