Released hostage Omer Shem-Tov spoke about his experiences of observing Shabbos while being held by Hamas during a meeting with volunteers from the Jewish Connection nonprofit. He began by sharing a miraculous moment he experienced while making Kiddush every Friday night.
“For five months, I had half a bottle of grape juice that I used for Kiddush. The bottle never ran out and the juice never spoiled. It reminded me of the story of Chanukah, when a single flask of oil lasted for eight days. It showed me how good G-d is and how He was with me,” Shem-Tov explained.
He continued to describe the hardships he endured while in captivity, highlighting the comfort and strength he drew from the tefillos of the Jewish community. “While I was there, I felt every tefillah. Even in the darkest places, I felt the light you sent me,” he said.
Shem-Tov expressed his deep gratitude to the Jewish Connection organization and its volunteers for their steadfast support: “You are now part of my family. You supported us all along the way, and you made my family part of yours. Thank you very much, all of you.”
His mother, Shelly Shem-Tov, shared her own experience: “This year, I endured the greatest hardship to bring my family home from captivity, and I want to say I couldn’t have done it alone.”
Omer then reflected on the significance of the relationships that were formed between charedi and secular women: “This way, breaking down the walls between us and creating a bridge together, is so significant. Thanks to my first Shabbat with ‘Jewish Connection,’ I took upon myself to keep Shabbos. I learned things from my friends that helped me strengthen and maintain my faith. I always say that Shabbos not only kept me – Shabbos kept me safe.”
Shelly Shem-Tov shared a profound thought with the gathering: “It’s so important for everyone to feel and learn the love of faith and the strength it provides. Continue being a mission, keep connecting women from the secular world. This is the way that the Creator wants us to go, and only through these connections will redemption come – thanks to these bonds.”
The volunteers also spoke with family members of other hostages, including Shir Siegel, daughter of Aviva and Keith, who were released from captivity. She recounted how her parents found strength while in the Gaza tunnels. Galit, the mother of Segev, who is still being held captive, urged the crowd to pray for her son and the other hostages. She led a communal prayer, which included reciting a chapter of Tehillim and singing Acheinu Kol Bais Yisroel while reading out the names of the captives.
Rebbetzin Tzili Schneider, chair of the organization, offered her perspective: “It’s amazing to see that precisely in the deep darkness of captivity, the hostages found comfort and hope in the Jewish light that illuminated the darkness. The story of Shem-Tov, joining the heart-wrenching testimonies of other captives, tells the moving story of the entire Jewish people, who know how to cling to their Jewish heritage and commandments in the most challenging moments.”
{Matzav.com Israel}The post “Endless Grape Juice”: Released Hostage Shares A Miracle From His Time In Gaza first appeared on Matzav.com.