(LETTER IN EXTENDED ARTICLE) Maran Rav Ovadia Yosef on Sunday sent a siddur and tehillim to captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, with Shas leader Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai acting as the Rav’s personal emissary. Yishai accompanied Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to Cairo, where they met with senior state leaders.

The Rav wrote that “With Hashem’s help, your redemption will come soon and we will see your back with your parents and your family. Remain strong and remember Hashem remains with you wherever you go”.

The Rav sent a letter to Egyptian President Mubarak, asking once again for his intervention on behalf of Shalit, mentioning the soldier is already in captivity over three years. The Rav blesses the president with longevity, and other good tidings.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)