The live Yom Ha’atzmaut ceremony at Har Herzl and small ceremonies across the country, scheduled for Wednesday evening, were canceled due to the fires still raging across Israel. Instead, a recorded dress rehearsal was broadcast on Israeli TV channels. One of the torch-lighters was freed hostage Emily Damari, who was abducted from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Speaking briefly from stage before lighting the touch, Emily said that she is lighting the torch in honor of the 59 hostages still in captivity; the 64 residents of Kfar Aza who were murdered during the massacre; including two of her close friends, the Israeli security forces who risk their lives; those who fell in battle; the orphan and widows, and bereaved families who lost their loved ones. She then raised her voice, and pointing upwards, she said: “And to Hakadosh Baruch Hu who gave me the kochos to survive captivity and to return on my feet to the country and nation I love so much!” It should be noted that this is not the first time that Emily publicly thanked Hashem. Shortly after being released, she posted a message on social media, writing: “Love, love, love,” Damari wrote. “I thank Hashem, my family…to the best friends I have in this world. I’ve returned to my beloved life.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)