Walking through the bustling Shuk HaCarmel in Tel Aviv, the atmosphere is usually a sensory overload of sounds, smells, and vibrant colors. But amidst the lively stalls, I found myself face-to-face with something much quieter and heavier. A single, shuttered stall bore a simple sign: “This Kiosk belongs to Elkana Buchbut, who is still held captive in Gaza.” Elkana, a father, husband, and beloved ice cream vendor at the Shuk, was kidnapped while working at the Nova Music Festival on October 7 2023.
And in that moment, the bustling market faded, and I stood still, feeling the weight of what it means to wait for someone’s return.
The closed stall wasn’t just an empty space—it was a powerful symbol. Behind its shutters were goods left untouched, waiting for the day Elkana would come back to reclaim them. This simple act of holding onto something for another carried a message of hope and belief in the future. It reminded me of deeper themes in the Hebrew Bible, where saving something for later, for someone’s eventual return, is not only a practical gesture but a spiritual one, teaching us about the power of hope and resilience.
One example of this comes from the law of the first fruits, or Bikkurim (ביכורים), described in Deuteronomy 26. The Israelites were commanded to take the first fruits of their harvest and set them aside as an offering to God.
This act wasn’t merely about giving; it was about saving the best of what they had for something greater down the line. Much like Elkana’s stall, this practice symbolized a belief in the future, in something still to come. It speaks to the spiritual value of saving something for later—of keeping hope alive through our actions, even when the outcome is uncertain.
The Bible also teaches the importance of safeguarding what belongs to another person, as seen in Deuteronomy 22, which commands the return of lost property. If someone finds a lost item, they must keep it safe until the rightful owner returns.
This isn’t just about objects—it’s about respecting and preserving what belongs to someone else because of the inherent value of that person. Even if someone is absent, their possessions remain tied to them, and it is the community’s duty to protect them. By preserving Elkana’s stall, his community isn’t simply safeguarding his ice cream business—they’re honoring his value, holding onto the belief that he will return to claim what is his.
This law reflects a deeper truth: safeguarding what belongs to another reflects faith in their return. Elkana’s closed stall represents more than just an interrupted livelihood; it’s a symbol of his continued presence, even in his absence. The community’s act of preserving his space says, “We believe in your return.” It’s a reflection of a deeper Biblical principle that honors the dignity of each individual and reinforces the belief that someone’s absence is not their end.
The theme of holding onto something for later is also deeply embedded in the laws of land and inheritance in Leviticus 25. Land was to remain within families and tribes, even if its owners couldn’t immediately reclaim it.
The Bible teaches that the land would eventually be restored to its rightful owners or their descendants. This principle emphasizes the belief in return, in the idea that even in times of loss or separation, there is hope for restoration.
This concept of waiting, of holding on in trust, speaks deeply to the emotional and spiritual truth of Elkana’s situation. His stall in the shuk, standing closed but full of his belongings, is a quiet yet powerful hope: that he will return, that his place is being held for him, ready for when he comes back. It’s a reminder that even when something or someone is taken from us, we can preserve their space, their belongings, and their presence in our lives. Every time the Bible instructs us to hold onto something for someone else, it is also teaching us to hold onto hope, to believe in the continuity of life, even in times of absence.
This concept speaks to a greater message as well. Just as we are taught to value the belongings of others in anticipation of their return, we are also given a lesson in faith in the unknown. The faith we must have, we must have, while we wait. This faith extends beyond individual stories to encompass a collective yearning for redemption—the coming of the Messiah and the eventual ingathering of the exiles to Israel one day, and hopefully very soon. By preserving what belongs to others and believing in their return, we reflect our deep-rooted hope that one day, all who have been separated will come together once more, restoring the wholeness of our community.
One tenant of faith is prayer: Our ability to communicate with God. If you’re inspired by the power of communal prayer, don’t miss out on our vibrant WhatsApp prayer group for Israel! Rabbi Rami Goldberg posts daily videos and pictures of life in Israel, with thought-provoking and inspiring faith based reflections for prayer. This group is the perfect way to feel connected to Israel through daily prayer. Let’s unite in support of Israel. Join our daily prayer group here.
