With each hostage’s return, we are humbled by their strength. Agam Berger, taken captive from her bed on October 7th at just 18 years old, displayed mesirus nefesh beyond words.
On her helicopter ride to freedom, she wrote:
“I chose the path of faith, and I returned in the path of faith.”
For 481 days in captivity, she held strong. She refused to cook for the terrorists on Shabbos, insisted on keeping kashrus, and would not eat the non-kosher food they offered her. Even in hunger, she recited brachos before each bite.
Halacha would have allowed her to do what was necessary to survive, yet she stood firm in her emunah. And perhaps Shabbos stood by her, too—though she was originally set for release on Shabbos, a twist of events brought her home two days earlier.
This week, Agam will light Shabbos candles with her family by her side. Mi K’amcha Yisroel.
