Former hostage Eli Sharabi on Thursday prayed at the gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, thanking G-d for saving him and praying for the wellbeing of all the remaining hostages, Chabad.org reported.
He also recited the Kaddish memorial prayer for the first time for his brother, who was murdered by Hamas.
“I came from the darkest place in the world — 50 meters underground,” he said, according to Chabad.org. “What gave me strength was saying Shema Yisrael [the most famous Jewish prayer] every morning. Every Friday night, we tried to make Kiddush [prayer over wine sanctifying the Sabbath]. We didn’t have wine, so we used water. It was the faith that kept us alive.”
Eli Sharabi visiting the gravesite of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, said the first Kaddish over his family members and recited brief names: I came from the darkest place in the world – 50 meters underground. What gave me strength was to say ‘Shema Yisrael’ every morning. Every… pic.twitter.com/Rlfqhs7B5Z
— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) March 21, 2025