A Hostage Mother’s Wish
Left: Merav speaking at a Challah bake | Right: Agam on her way home
On Thursday, January 30, 2025, while freed hostage Agam Berger was being flown with her parents in a helicopter en route to Rabin Medical Center, she held up a sign on a dry-erase board that read, "I chose a path of faith, and I returned through a path of faith. Thank you to all of Am Yisrael and the heroic soldiers of the IDF. There is none like you in the world!”
Agam was kidnapped on October 7th during the brutal surprise Hamas attack at the Nahal Oz base alongside her friends Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Daniela Gilboa, and Naama Levy. Her friends, who were miraculously released last week, shared that despite enduring 14 months in captivity, Agam remained steadfast in her faith. She consistently observed Shabbat, refrained from eating non-Kosher food despite hunger, recited blessings before meals, and even risked further abuse by refusing to cook for her captors on Shabbat.
Remarkably, Agam's parents made the same spiritual journey from the opposite side of the fence. Although not considering themselves religious before the Oct. 7 attacks, Agam's parents, Shlomi and Merav, began observing Shabbat after their daughter was taken hostage, turning to faith in a time of profound uncertainty.
As Agam's release appeared imminent, originally planned for Shabbat, Merav made a heartfelt plea during a weekly Hafrashat Challah (i.e. Mitzvah of separating Challah) event at Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, where prayers and mitzvot were offered for the safe return of the captives:
"We are eagerly waiting for our daughter. We also know this is likely to happen on Shabbat, and it's not by chance that our enemies probably aim for that. It's important to me, and I've been thinking about it a lot in recent days, how I can do this without desecrating the Sabbath," Merav stated.
She extended a plea to the public: "Please, if possible, do not desecrate the Sabbath. Do not take photos, do not be photographed, and wait until Shabbat ends. After Shabbat, there will be plenty of time for photos and celebrations."
Merav also called upon Jewish women to light Shabbat candles in Agam's merit and to strengthen their observance of Shabbat.
Ultimately, her prayers were answered. Agam was released on Thursday, avoiding any conflict with Shabbat. Her return home, along with that of the few other hostages, are being celebrated worldwide. Family, friends, and community members welcomed Agam by reciting the Psalm Mizmor Le'Todah (Prayer of Thanksgiving) and the Shehecheyanu blessing, and rejoicing with a Torah scroll written in her merit for release from captivity. They also sang songs of faith and hope and wore T-shirts bearing the words Derech Emunah Bacharti (I have chosen the path of faith).
This extraordinary story serves as a testament to the power of faith. Both mother and daughter, faced with one of life's most harrowing challenges, may G-d protect us, demonstrated a steadfast connection to G-d and Shabbat, prioritizing their spiritual values over immediate physical concerns.
Their journey is a reflection of the resilience of the Jewish people, who have remained connected to G-d and Torah throughout history, even in the face of darkness. This enduring faith is the secret to our survival and strength.
In this week's Torah portion, Bo, we learn about the first mitzvah given to the Jewish people before their exodus from Egypt: Rosh Chodesh. This mitzvah sanctifies the beginning of the month based on the appearance of the new moon, guiding the Jewish people in observing holidays, life cycle events, and many other customs and traditions.
The Jewish calendar, based on lunar months rather than the solar year, reflects the waxing and waning of the moon. The Talmud teaches that “Jews count based on the moon and are compared to the moon.” Just as the moon wanes and becomes concealed, the Jewish people may endure challenging moments. However, the renewal of the moon each month reassures us of the ultimate rebirth — the Redemption.
Despite the immense hardships faced during slavery in Egypt, G-d empowered the Jewish people to learn from the moon and to never give up in the face of adversity. Throughout our long history, with its highs and lows, we have miraculously survived and continue to thrive in modern times.
The moon's rotation reminds us to remain optimistic in challenging times and to stay humble, grateful, and generous during times of abundance. In reality, the moon is hidden when it is positioned closest to the sun. Similarly, during our most challenging and darkest moments, we often find ourselves feeling closest to G-d.
The very fact that, out of all 613 commandments, the Torah chose to begin with this one indicates that this mitzvah contains an element fundamental to all the rest. The primary function of the mitzvot is to enable a person to permeate the world with goodness and holiness. Therefore, all mitzvot involve transforming physical objects into mitzvah objects — entities of holiness. For example, when a Jew transforms an animal hide into parchment for a Torah scroll, tefillin, or a mezuzah, that hide attains the purpose for which it was created. Similarly, when a person gives tzedakah, they elevate their money along with the effort invested in earning it.
Since time, too, is a creation, it is also meant to fulfill a sacred purpose. This understanding underscores the significance of this important commandment: through the Jewish people's sanctification of months, they reveal that the true purpose of time is to be sanctified. Their time becomes infused with the awareness that it is to be filled with goodness, holiness, and mitzvot.
We are currently living through profoundly challenging moments in history. Yet, the Jewish people remain optimistic, holding steadfast faith that we stand at the dawn of a new era. These are extraordinary times, marked by increasing signs pointing to the imminent arrival of Moshiach. These signs, prophesied by our Sages from the Biblical and Talmudic eras and affirmed by Jewish leaders in modern times, clearly indicate that we are on the threshold of a new age—one characterized by world peace, health, happiness, and prosperity for all nations.
Let each of us perform an additional mitzvah in merit of the safety of all Israel and the return of all our hostages, without compromising Israel's security. Together, may we help usher in the final redemption!
