Surviving harsh captivity is a remarkable feat, no matter the conditions endured. The levels of starvation, psychological torment, and physical afflictions differ greatly among individuals. And then there are those who are injured or have health issues that go untreated. Yet, the 20 hostages released from Gaza on October 13th share a common thread: they exhibit exceptional courage and a glimmer of hope. Their journey doesn’t end with their release; the suffering will likely persist, but their faith in having been chosen by a higher power is evident.
The Berman twin brothers, both 28, were spotted embracing each other with smiles upon their arrival at Sheba Medical Center near Tel Aviv, renowned for its medical care. But what haunting experiences lay hidden behind those smiles? How long will it take to address the flashbacks, anxiety, and depersonalization they are bound to face? The long-term impacts of dehumanization in such extreme fear are serious concerns.
These are not new issues. When President Trump spoke to Israel’s parliament this week, he invoked the phrases “never again” and “never forget,” which resonate deeply with the Holocaust, where countless lives were lost in camps like Auschwitz.
Survival often hinges on faith. Reflecting on my new book, *The Miracles Among Us*, I remember that praying to God can indeed influence outcomes, yet He gives us what He deems fit, not always what we desire.
Isaac Mittelman, in 1944, was discovered praying on Yom Kippur in a Hungarian labor camp. He endured being tied to a tree in freezing conditions but somehow survived that night. Doctors later struggled to save his frostbitten arm, leading to an amputation performed under brutal conditions. Yet, Isaac’s tenacity shone through. While recuperating, a bomb struck the hospital, taking the lives of everyone except him. He escaped dressed as a Hungarian soldier due to his fluency in the language, and when Allied forces liberated Budapest, they nearly shot him, only stopping when they recognized his Yiddish.
So why was Isaac spared? He told his son Barry he believed it was destined, so he could fulfill his future role as a rabbi and kosher butcher.
The question also arises with Dr. Elei Hogeg Golan, who, along with her 18-month-old baby and husband, survived when Hamas set their kibbutz house ablaze on October 7, 2023. Months later, the child thrived thanks to breastfeeding, while Golan battled severe burns and was hospitalized with other complications. After overcoming several health crises, it became clear that her survival was purposeful: to return to her work as an anesthesiologist, using the same ventilator that had sustained her life.
This story will feature in my upcoming book, *Miracles Among Us*. Interestingly, Elle and her husband, Ariel, expressed that they don’t view their survival as miraculous; they feel it’s essential to honor those who did not make it.
The release of the 20 hostages back to Israel was indeed a remarkable achievement, facilitated by President Trump, Jared Kushner, and others.
In October 2023, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked on the necessity of war, quoting Ecclesiastes. This week, he once again referenced the Bible, emphasizing that righteousness involves fearing God and following His commandments. This wisdom applies to Israel and beyond, and the experiences of the hostages offer us a powerful impetus to move ahead.
