Yesterday, an astonishing event occurred that deeply moved the people of Israel, as well as many Jews around the world. IDF Staff Sergeant Edan Alexander, an Israeli-American citizen and hostage, was freed after 584 days in captivity in Gaza and returned home.
Edan Alexander is originally from New Jersey. He came to Israel after finishing high school to serve in the army. During the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, he was taken hostage from a military post near the Gaza border.
According to Edan, during the first weeks of captivity, he endured physical torture and abuse: he was kept in a cage and shackled hand and foot. This was how the vile terrorists tried to break his spirit — but they failed.
We know that from every event we witness, we must derive guidance for serving the Creator — how much more so when the event occurs on a Jewish holiday. Yesterday marked Pesach Sheni (Second Passover), a special day that teaches us that nothing is ever truly lost and that everything can be corrected.
Let us now examine how this event is connected specifically to Pesach Sheni and what lesson we can draw from it. A few days before Edan’s release, President Trump stated that the credit belonged to him, claiming he had negotiated with Hamas. Indeed, this marks the first time the United States succeeded in securing the release of a hostage without Israel’s participation.
It is important to note that, unusually, the terrorists did not set any conditions for Israel, as they typically do. We all remember how, in the past, numerous terrorist murderers were released from prison. But this time, the release was described as “a gesture of goodwill towards the American side, without any conditions or demands.”
On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu asserted that the release was made possible due to a combination of military pressure by Israel and diplomatic efforts. This is also true, as we have recently seen our army adopt a much tougher stance against terrorists and stop making concessions.
So, we see two differing views as to whom the credit belongs.
First and foremost, it must be stated that the release of a hostage is a mitzvah, as the Torah commands us to redeem Jews who are held captive by non-Jews. Of course, this is not to be done at any cost, but in this instance, nothing was demanded of us; it was a straightforward fulfilment of the mitzvah.
Let us consider: who made this possible? We are witnessing a change in how the Israeli government treats terrorists — no longer with leniency, but with a strict and uncompromising policy. And this is bearing fruit. The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that such an approach can, in fact, prevent terrorist acts entirely and nullify all hostile intentions against Israel. Sadly, in the past, under pressure from leftist factions or for other reasons, Israeli politicians would “bow” to terrorists.
It might have seemed that, in this case, there was no way back. From the perspective of politicians, military experts, and analysts, the damage had already been done and could not be undone. But what do we see? A miracle! The hostage was freed precisely on Pesach Sheni — the only holiday in the year that exists solely thanks to the perseverance and insistence of Jews who could not reconcile with being excluded from celebrating Passover.
This teaches us that even when the government of Israel has long behaved wrongly and there seems no logical way to correct the situation, the Torah tells us such thinking is mistaken — there is always hope. Nothing is irredeemable; everything can be fixed! And it is no coincidence that this hostage release happened on the very day that embodies this idea. When Jews begin to act in this way, G-d cloaks miracles in the guise of nature: Trump initiates negotiations with the terrorists, who then release the hostage. G-d shows us that there are miracles concealed within natural events, brought about through the actions of the Jewish people — this was the outcome and direct result of the Israeli government’s firm stance toward terrorists.
Thus, if we follow the Rebbe’s guidance on how Jews in the Holy Land should conduct themselves, then despite previous failures or even deliberate transgressions, the possibility for correction still exists. And all those who until now have hindered our victory over our enemies can, in an instant, transform themselves — not only from sinners into righteous people, but into baalei teshuvah (those who have repented), who are considered even greater than the righteous.
There is no doubt that this will inevitably lead to the release of all hostages — and more so, the redemption of the entire Jewish people from this final exile, with the coming of the complete and ultimate Redemption, brought by the Rebbe King Moshiach.