We recently published a piece about the spiritual revival taking place among the IDF soldiers in Israel, as described by Rabbi Josh Friedman. Now that spiritual revival is spreading to the hostages who were taken captive by Hamas.
Glenn shares Rabbi Friedman's belief that when we turn back to God, He shows up, and that alone can turn the tide of global events. As Rabbi Friedman explained, “As much as we know that we need a strong army […] the way we are going to win is to turn to God," and wearing Tefillin—also known as phylacteries—is the outward expression of the Jewish people connecting to God.
An unprecedented number of IDF forces have requested Tefillin—over 8,000 and counting. Now the Israeli hostages held captive by Hamas are requesting Tefillin. Rabbi Friedman gave Glennbeck.com the first-hand account of meeting with rescued hostage Shlomi Ziv and giving him Tefillin. Read the full account below:
'I need Tefillin!': Hamas hostage asks for phylacteries as first request after his miraculous rescue
It was 8 months of a living hell — and then it was over.
After being taken hostage on October 7, 2023 by Hamas terrorists, 41-year-old Shlomi Ziv was heroically saved on June 8th by elite soldiers of the Israel Defense Force. What kept him from losing hope throughout those dark months in the hands of evil terrorists? An unwavering faith in G-d, he said.
In the depths of Gaza, as other hostages around him were murdered, Shlomi refused to give in to despair. He reminded himself, over and over again, that if G-d willed he be taken captive, G-d too could bring him safely home.
“Even though I had only said the Shema prayer a few times in my life, I said it every day while in Gaza," Ziv, a non-religious Israeli, said. "I also made a big promise to G-d. I said, 'G-d, if you get me back home alive, then I promise to put on Tefillin every day."
Ziv is not the type of person who dons Tefillin every day. Yet, he instinctively understood the power they held.
Tefillin (phylacteries) are two black leather boxes with straps that Jewish men are commanded to wear on their head and arm during morning prayers. They represent the Jew’s connection to the Creator and the conviction that He alone decides our fate. While wearing Tefillin, the Jew proclaims his faith in the Lord with the declaration of the Shema prayer (Deuteronomy 6:4): “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.”
Ziv had not heard of the Israel Select Tefillin Campaign of Rabbi Josh Friedman. He had no idea that around the tiny country of Israel, thousands of IDF soldiers were drawn to observe this mitzvah (commandment). Shlomi was totally cut off from the world for 8 months. He only knew what the evil terrorists told him in their twisted mind games.
Somehow, his soul was crying out to be tied to G-d through the straps of Tefillin. That’s why, when Ziv tearfully reunited with his family in a Tel Aviv hospital, the first thing he said was: “I need Tefillin.”
The mission continues
If you want to link arms with Rabbi Friedman's mission to connect Jewish men and soldiers to God through Tefillin, click here to learn more.
