Parshas Beshalach – Shabbos in Gaza

By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin

“Vayehi beshalach Pharaoh es ha’am, And it was when Pharaoh sent out the nation…” (Shemos 13:17). The Talmud teaches that when the word “vayehi… and it was” is used, it often indicates troubles on the horizon, that a foreboding situation is about to occur. Megillas Esther, Megillas Rus, Sefer Yonah, all open with the word vayehi. In each instances, we learn of difficulties that were looming ahead.

What difficulty could there possibly be with Pharaoh finally freeing the Jewish people. One would think it would be a cause of celebration. Rabbi Yehoshua of Belz, the second Rebbe of the Belz chassidus, (1825-1899) offers an insightful explanation. The Rebbe teaches that if one who witnessed or learns of all the plagues and the miraculous Exodus does not see the hand of HaShem, but says “beshalach Pharaoh… and Pharaoh sent…”, that is cause for concern and distress. It shows a lack of appreciation and emuna.

An important lesson that speaks to us today. Just exchange Pharaoh for Hamas, Biden, Trump, Witkoff, mediators from Qatar, Egypt, etc. It becomes a vayehi, a time of oy vay. Yes, we need the right messengers, we need to do our hishtadlus, to put in our effort. But, at the end of the day, it is HaShem who makes all the pieces fall into place. We must truly believe in who really holds the power. As our rabbis teach, “Lev melachim v’sarim b’Yad Hashem—The hearts of kings and officials are in the Hands of Hashem”. For Jews, emuna and bitachon, faith and trust in HaShem are paramount.

Agam Berger, was 19, her first day working as a spotter, her eyes on the border from the lookout tower at Nahal Oz. The spotters would watch for suspicious movements on the Gaza side of the border. It was October 7. As the terrorists infiltrated their army base, Agam, together with six other spotters (spotters are not armed), were brutally beaten and abducted. Hamas released photos of the girls, all wounded. Agam’s face was badly bruised and swollen. Her mouth and chin bloodied.

The war of October 7 touched the neshama of the entire nation. In an amazing phenomenon, so many strengthened their beliefs and intensified their connection to HaShem, Torah and mitzvos. Thousands upon thousands started studying Torah, putting on Tefillin, observing Shabbos, and keeping kosher.

In the darkness of Gaza, Agam understood that only HaShem could bring her to freedom. She found a siddur in Gaza, and discovered solace from tefilla. She also accepted upon herself to keep kosher and be shomer Shabbos.

Who doesn’t love Shabbos? We all look forward to the sumptuous Shabbos table, to family time, and catching up on needed rest. Shabbos is a time to break from the weekly grind, and forge a greater connection to HaShem thru tefilla and learning. A time to reach greater spiritual heights.

But how does one keep Shabbos as a hostage in Gaza. Agam was eventually taken to the home of terrorists. There she was forced to clean and cook.

A Shabbos hero was born. Shabbos became her day, she connected to it in a very special way. Agam became a true Shabbos queen. With much strength of character and strong belief, Agam turned to her captors and told them that she will not light a flame or cook on Shabbos. With her head held high, she defiantly proclaimed that they can do whatever that want to her, but she will not desecrate the Shabbos. What inner strength and conviction.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the border, Agam’s mom, Meirav, similarly became infused with emunas HaShem. She too began keeping Shabbos as a z’chus for Agam’s safe release. When the news of the ceasefire and hostage release came out, Meirav was informed that a group of IDF spotters would be released on Shabbos. She organized a hafrashas challa, separation of challa dough event at Hostages Square.

Meirav had a message to relay at the challa bake. “We are eagerly awaiting our daughter’s likely return on Shabbat. Please don’t break Shabbat. No filming or being filmed. Wait until after Shabbat. There will be plenty of time then.”

That Shabbos, four spotters were released, but not Agam. Imagine the deep disappointment and intense pain Agam’s parents must have felt. But, here too, they found strength in their emuna.

As things worked out, Agam returned home the following Thursday. To Agam, and her mom Meirav, Shabbos was of most importance. By being released on a weekday, they avoided much chilul Shabbos from the unavoidable media spectacle that would surely accompany her release. There is no question that here too, HaShem orchestrated the timing of Agam’s release because of her and her mom’s commitment to Shabbos.

After her release, Agam was taken by helicopter to Sheba Medical Center. Inflight, she wrote a message on a whiteboard for Am Yisroel “Bederech emuna bocharti, I chose a path of faith, (Tehillim 119:30) “u’vaderech emuna shavti, And in the path of faith I returned.

Liri Elbag, a fellow spotter who had been released earlier, said, “Despite difficult conditions and limited options, Agam chose to remain true to her values and beliefs.”

Once again, we can relate the parsha to world happenings. Parshas Beshalach also tells of Bnei Yisroel’s trek through the desert and their need for nourishment. HaShem gifted them the mon, “bread from heaven”. It appeared every day without fail, sufficient for each person’s needs. Come Friday, a double portion fell – one for Friday, another for Shabbos. Bnei Yisroel received a concrete Shabbos lesson. Shabbos is a spiritual day. We are not busy with the mundane, as in collecting mon. As the Chumash tells us, “Shabbos hayom l’HaShem, for today is Shabbos to HaShem.” (Shemos 16:25).

Agam, even as a hostage in Gaza, made Shabbos a day for HaShem. In the Shabbos day zemiros, we say “Hayom nichbad livnei emunim, The day is honored for those who have emuna”. Honored by Agam and Meirav. Honored by Am Yisroel, who are ma’aminim bnei ma’aminim, believers, the children of believers.

As the well-known song about Shabbos says, “Just one Shabbos and we’ll all be free”. In the z’chus of all who keep Shabbos, may we soon see the return of all remaining hostages, peace in Eretz Yisroel, and security for all Jews throughout the world.

Shabbat Shalom!

Chaya Sora

Chaya Sora can be reached at csgertzulin@gmail.com

This article was written L’zecher Nishmas/In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt”l