Together As One Voice
The Powerful Moment Hallel Was Chanted in The Hostages Square | WATCH
Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square for a moving Sukkot prayer service, joining families and religious leaders in chanting Hallel for the safe return of Gaza captives.
Thousands of Israelis converged on Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Friday, October 10, 2025, for a communal prayer service marking the third intermediate day of the Sukkot holiday. The gathering served as a poignant blend of traditional festivity and an intense, collective supplication for the swift return of the remaining captives held in Gaza.
The central ritual involved the chanting of Hallel, a collection of Psalms recited on major Jewish holidays to praise God for deliverance, and the shaking of the four species, symbols of unity and harvest joy central to Sukkot.
Families and Clergy Lead the Call for Salvation
The service was characterized by the presence of both hostages' families and influential religious leaders, underscoring the non-partisan, national focus of the event.
Among the prominent attendees were Dani Miran, father of hostage Omri Miran, and Shai Tzohar, cousin of slain hostage Omer Neutra. Their presence anchored the prayer in the ongoing personal trauma faced by the families.
The religious support was offered by Rabbi Chaim Gantz and Rabbi Dov Singer, representing different streams of Orthodox Judaism, symbolizing a unified religious front praying for the captives' salvation.
A Spirit of Intention and Resilience
In line with the festive nature of Sukkot, the square resonated with a unique atmosphere. While customary separate seating for men and women was observed, live music accompanied the morning service, creating a soundscape that merged the mandate for holiday celebration with the desperate national plea.
Organizers emphasized that the gathering carried a profound "sense of intention, of praying for the remaining hostages to return home safely."
By invoking the spirit of miracles and salvation inherent in the Hallel prayer, the thousands gathered transformed the symbolic square—the ongoing epicenter of the national crisis—into a temporary sanctuary of hope and resilience, affirming the Jewish commitment to unity even amidst deep national grief.