Bar tried to keep other mitzvot as well. This past Yom Kippur, he fasted and recited the prayers he remembered.
When he was released, he surprised his family by requesting a pair of tzitzit to wear. His mother shares that Bar’s connection to Judaism strengthened in captivity. Before, “[he] had faith, he was somewhat traditional — but not like [now]. There were Muslims there who prayed to the Creator as well, and they observed all the holidays and fasts, and he said if they’re doing it, then he also wants to be close to the Creator.”
Julie concludes, “A person in darkness, in the inferno — I think the first thing is to connect with the Creator, to try and save yourself somehow. He had a dialogue with G-d. He would say [the] Shema [prayer] often, he prayed, and recited a chapter of Psalms he knew by heart.”
Bar says that what gave him the most strength in Gaza was the song Afilu B’hastara, a favorite of his mother’s, written over two centuries ago by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. The lyrics state that God is found even in the darkest places. In captivity, Bar used to sing this song to himself over and over again. After his release, a video circulated showing him singing this song together with his family.
In a powerful video message posted by StandWithUs, Bar addresses the world after his release. “I want to thank everyone who prayed, supported, and never gave up,” he says. “Most importantly, I want to thank the Creator of the World, our Father in Heaven.”
More Stories
Stories of other released hostages’ strength and faith are still coming out. Eitan Horn, 37, of Kibbutz Nir Oz says that this year, he fasted on Yom Kippur for the first time in his life while held in Gaza tunnels.
Matan Zangauker found a worn book of Psalms in the tunnels and used it for daily prayer.
Segev Kalfon requested to watch the release ceremony of a fellow hostage, Ohad Ben Ami, in February 2025. Happy for Ohad, he pictured his own release ceremony, when he would stand on the stage, surrounded by terrorists, and shout the Shema prayer for the whole world to hear.
After his release, thankfully without a ceremony, Segev shared. “In the darkest place, I succeeded in seeing the light.” He tells of faith that sustained him throughout his captivity.
As the released hostages recover and speak out, we have much to learn from them.
Reprinted from the website of aish.com
