After 505 Days in Hamas Hell, Tal Shoham Is Free

On October 7, Tal Shoham was taken hostage from Kibbutz Be’eri. Hamas terrorists bound his hands with zip ties, tossed him into the trunk of a car and drove to Gaza.

For the past 505 days, I’ve thought of Tal multiple times a day. A photo of Tal Shoham sits on my desk. My social media profile is a photo of Tal.

The photo of Tal sitting on my desk

Whenever enjoying a hot meal or a relaxing shower, I’d think of Tal in Hamas hell – hour after hour, day after day… eating moldy bread.

When enjoying clean clothes and a comfortable bed, I’d think of Tal – alone in the cold, dark dungeons… barely able to breathe.

In those moments, I’d pledge to be a better person, hoping that somehow, in the grand scheme, it might benefit Tal ben Nitza.

Why Tal Shoham?

On October 7, as the entire Jewish nation plunged into searing trauma, I was desperate to forge a personal connection with the hostages. I discovered that my sister-in-law’s second cousin, is married to Tal Shoham’s second cousin.

Tal Shoham playing with his kids before the war

Yet Tal is no “distant relative.” October 7 proved the entire Jewish people are one family – 14 million bodies with one interconnected soul.

This Shabbat, our prayers were answered when, after 505 excruciating days in captivity (and a despicable hostage handover ceremony), Tal reunited with his wife and two young children, themselves hostages released in a previous deal.

Hostage Deal

This latest deal with the depraved Hamas is joy mixed with grief – a bittersweet storm of emotions.

Nearly 2,000 terrorists, including notorious mass murderers, are now free on the streets. This exorbitantly high price is viewed by our enemies as a victory.

Tal Shoham reunited with his wife, children and parents.

We grieve the Jewish blood and treasure sacrificed to apprehend these murderers in the first place.

We are despondent that the forces of evil live to see another day – the vast majority who will resume terror.

We lament how things might have been different, had the UN – rather than fomenting hate against Israel – denounced the monsters of Hamas.

We bemoan how Hamas barbarians, knowing our deep commitment to life, use kidnapping and extortion as weapons against us.

We fear that the next Sinwar is among the freed prisoners, and shudder at how this deal incentivizes additional hostage-taking.

Yet despite all this, we have gained much more in return. We have rescued Tal and other members of our family in distress.

For millennia, ever since Abraham rescued his nephew Lot (Genesis ch. 14), the Jewish people have an ironclad commitment: No rest until every hostage is brought home.

“You save one life, you save an entire world,” says the Talmud.

As antisemites throughout history remind us, Jewish unity is our strength and power. It is precisely this kinship and commitment that will enable us to emerge from this nightmare stronger than ever.

And if history is any guide, the long arm of the IDF will exact proper retribution.

As I look at Tal’s photo, radiating a sincere and sensitive soul, full of love and joy, I am reminded that there is light and hope, reassured that in the end, truth, justice and righteousness will God-willing win the day.

Tal Shoham and his son Naveh on a helicopter en route to a hospital after his release. His sign says, “Freedom! It’s crazy.”