Tel Aviv Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau Shlita tells us to learn about determination from the Shalit family. The rav made his comments during hakofos shneiyos in the Ramat Aviv Gimmel area of northern Tel Aviv.

“The Jewish People does many things resulting from not having an alternative, such as the wars fought by Israel and nevertheless, because of our faith and trust in Hashem, we emerged victorious.

“Such is the case with Gilad Shalit too. We faced a situation compelled upon us, and regardless of the differences of opinion regarding the prisoner exchange deal, it taught us something about determination, as well as faith and trust [in Hashem]”.

The rabbi continued “Gilad was in a dark cell, closed, without an ability to see sunlight. Nevertheless, in his heart he always knew that he would be set free. The family always carried the very same thought, always carrying the faith and trust and this is the lesson for us, that even in the most difficult of times, do not give up, don’t break, don’t back down and continue fighting tenaciously, especially with faith.

“This is what I said to the patients at Ichilov Hospital, where I began this evening, that even when one believes all chance for hope are lost, that the surgery will not succeed, that the treatment will not be successful, we mustn’t ever give up.”

At this point, the rav pulled out a small Sefer Torah, one that he brought to the Chabad-hosted event, explaining the little Torah was an example of his words, a small Torah that survived the Holocaust, explaining when he received it, it was torn and damaged, and bloodstained, but nevertheless, it survived.

The rabbi explained that not only did the Torah make it, but it made its way to Eretz Yisrael, where it was repaired and adorned with a new outer garment and eitz chaim.

“From the Torah we learn about determination, not to give up, a Torah that gives us the strength, faith and trust to endure the difficult times”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)