Gilad Shalit’s Sheer Humility

Rabbi Mendy Shemtov of Beit Jabad del Uruguay wrote the following note to members of his community:

Several days ago, the Jewish community in Uruguay welcomed with enthusiasm and affection Gilad Shalit, known as Gilad ben Aviva for whom we have prayed, dreamed and waited for 5 years for his safe return home from the murderous clutches of his kidnappers.

It was incredible and hard to describe in words the emotions of those present when he took to the stage and smilingly greeted the large audience gathered to welcome him at the Teatro Metro in Montevideo.

A theme repeated in the speeches was the Talmudic statement that “Kol Yisroel areivim ze laze” – every Jew is responsible one for the other. They said the fact that Gilad is home is a testament of the Jewish community’s ability to unite in support of a single Jew, regardless of who he is.

But I want to share something I witnessed later on.

This same soldier who met with community leaders, Uruguayan soccer team and the Israeli Ambassador and who, by his shyness did not accept other VIP invitations during his short stay in our country, had done something which embodies to the letter the saying of “Kol Israel areivim.”

On his way back to the airport, he stopped to visit Chaim ben Rivka, a friend of mine who is going through an important medical procedure.

Chaim felt uplifted to have been visited by someone who was detained in a terrible a circumstance and survived. He shook hands, received that special smile that Gilad always wears and was wished a full recovery. Most importantly, Chaim received the gift of hope.

After 3 minutes, Gilad left the room and took the elevator. On his way down, he commented with sheer humility, “Ani mekave shenatati lo tikva.” – “I hope I’ve given him hope.”

Thank you Gilad for exemplifying “Kol yisroel areivim ze laze.”

P.S. Please do a mitzvah today in merit of Chaim ben Rivka for a speedy and complete recovery.