Sasha Troufanov, one of the hostages released from captivity in Gaza on Shabbos, put on tefillin on Sunday for the first time in his life a day after being released from captivity on Shabbos.

Chief Rabbi of Russia HaRav Berel Lazar, who is currently in Israel, came to visit Sasha at the hospital and helped him to put on tefillin and recite Shema. Afterward, he gifted Sasha with a set of tefillin and a Chitas sefer.

HaRav Lazar served as a source of support to Sasha’s mother, who became a baales teshuvah while her son was in captivity, and used his influence to work toward Sasha’s release.

Sasha spoke to HaRav Lazar by video call on Motzei Shabbos and thanked him for his help.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)