I read two weeks ago, at CNN’s online page, that Gilad Shalit, the Israeli corporal held by Hamas, would be released in a matter of days in a prisoner exchange. I was excited for two reasons. I was encouraged that there were back-channel negotiations going on with the Palestinians about Shalit and other difficult issues. I saw this as a small breakthrough.
More importantly, I hoped that Shalit, would finally come home.
Pidyon Shivuyim, “redemption of captives,” is an important Jewish value. Pidyon Shivuyim grew out
of the ancient – and not so ancient – practice of taking captives and selling them as slaves during times of war. We
Jews have never abandoned our brethren in need and we’ve paid large sums to bribe officials in order to rescue fellow
Jews. This value has been the basis for the lopsided exchanges that have taken place in the past between
Unfortunately, those “days” came and went, and I read nothing more about Gilad Shalit. When I asked my “source” in the Israeli government, he said that one should ignore these reports; they pop up all the time. He had heard nothing about any prisoner exchange.
We don’t give up on fellow Jews who are held captive. Gilad Shalit will come home, hopefully alive. Until then, we must hope that some back-channel discussions are taking place and, when his release finally happens, it will be the first step on the road to a greater peace.
