Mr. Noam Shalit, the father of hostage soldier Gilad, announced on Wednesday that the 12-day march on behalf of his son will halt on shabbos and continue immediately on motzei shabbos, confident the shmiras shabbos will contribute to the cause.
Rav Dan Cohen of Recasin was instrumental in achieving this arrangement, the shmiras shabbos, after being contacted by the chareidim working for Gilad’s release.
He traveled to meet with the marchers on Tuesday, and gave Noam Shalit an elegant Tehillim with an inscription. Rav Cohen explains that he did not have to convince anyone, and he was received warmly as was his shmiras shabbos request. He calls on the tzibur to continue davening on Gilad’s behalf.
The parents, Noam and Aviva, have announced they no longer remain optimistic, disappointed and gravely concerned over their son’s plight as he is now in his fifth year of captivity; and the current and previous administrations have failed to arrange his release.
The march, which began on Sunday (June 27th) from the family’s northern Mitzpei Hila home will work its way down to the capital over the period of 12 days, planning to arrive outside the Prime Minister’s Residence on July 8th.
Noam and Aviva have announced this time around, unlike previous protest tents, they do not plan to leave to return home until Gilad accompanies them.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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2 Responses
I preface this comment with the admission that I am not an expert on Israeli politics, so this suggestion could be off base.
But I think that the Torah community could really do a kiddush Hashem, effect a bad situation positively and enhance their reputation among the secular Israelis by coming out in force in support of concrete action to bring Gilad Shalit back home now. The community has shown its ability to mobilize. Let it do so now, in the just cause of redeeming Mr. Shalit, to accomplish a noble end that is recognized as much universally among Israelis. Doesn’t that seem like a great way to heal some of the rifts in Israeli society?
I’m interested in feedback on this (but not too harsh, if I’ve got the wrong idea please).
Halevai to the last paragraph. We should all be davening for Gilad ben Aviva.