A Timely Dollar The safe return of Avinatan Ohr, one of the Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza, unfolded in a truly miraculous and pre-ordained manner. His freedom became linked by an incredible chain of events to a date on the Jewish calendar and a precious memento: a dollar received from the Rebbe. The story began in the aftermath of the horrific attacks of October 7th, 2023, when Avinatan was taken captive by Hamas terrorists.
As the Ohr family wrestled with the pain, a Lubavitcher chassid stepped forward with a meaningful gesture. Yitzhar Mordechai, a resident of Nachlat Har Chabad in Kiryat Mala-chi, visited Avinatan’s mother, Ditza Ohr, and entrusted her with a dollar bill, one he had personally received from the Rebbe years earlier. Mordechai gave the dollar as a segulah for Avinatan’s safe release and protection.
He also included a handwritten note whose words would later prove to carry much significance. In the note, he referenced a powerful precedent: Gilad Shalit’s mother had also received a dollar from the Rebbe connected to the date of 21 Tishrei. Mordechai wrote that Shalit’s son ultimately returned home on that exact date. He concluded his message to Ditza with a heartfelt blessing: “May you, too, merit a great salvation.”
The date Yitzhar Mordechai had received the dollar from the Rebbe was 21 Tishrei, 5744 (1983). Two long years passed as the family waited in agonizing anticipation. Yet, when the moment finally came, the timing could only be described as Divine, because exactly on 21 Tishrei, the very same Hebrew date the dollar was received, (just like with Gilad Shalit) Avinatan Ohr was finally released from Hamas captivity. Adapted from COLlive.
Reprinted from the Toldos 5786 edition of Living Jewish.
