The Maggid of Melbourne

We conclude this series by explore the prayer for peace inspired by Rabbi Nahman of Breslov and penned by Rabbi Natan of Nemirov. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With no visits from the Red Cross, in this hasidic tale we consider who might be visiting our brothers and sisters and they languish in captivity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rabbi Moshe Leib of Sasov was famous for working hard to secure the release of captives. What happened when he did not succeed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A moment before signing off, we explore a few hasidic tales about freeing captives. We begin with the adroit hasidic dancer, the Shpoler Zeide, and his willingness to swap places with a captive. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the series nears its conclusion – what a journey! – we summarise what we have covered and zoom out to consider the value of these harrowing cases, as we continue to pine for the return of our brothers and sisters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The discussion up to this point has focused on understanding and applying the words of the sages. What about the Tanakh: What type of deals were offered to secure the release of captives? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu seemed to rely on the opinion of a lawyer and a politician, rather than engage the halakhic sources. Certainly unexpected!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look at another rabbinic response to the 1985 Jibril deal: Rabbi Yitzhak Ralbag who argued that whoever was involved in the deal did a great mitzvah … A far cry from Rabbi Goren’s position! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rabbi Hayim David Halevi responded to Rabbi Shlomo Goren questioning whether pidyon shvuyim – the laws of paying to secure the release of captives – is indeed the correct prism for addressing contemporary cases. Perhaps new perspectives are needed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chief Rabbi Shlomo Goren was vehemently critical of the 1985 Jibril agreement. We will have a look at a surprising response to this position, published eleven years after Rabbi Goren’s harsh words. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1985, the Israel Government concluded the Jibril deal, exchanging 1,150 terrorists for 3 IDF soldiers. What did the Chief Rabbi of Israel think about the deal? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As part of the backdrop of one of the IDF’s finest moment – the raid on Entebbe and saving over one hundred Jewish hostages in 1976 – the Prime Minister consulted the Chief Rabbi of Israel. What was said in that fateful conversation? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After the Yom Kippur war, Syria offered to return Israeli POWs in exchange for land conquered by the IDF during the war. What are the halakhic considerations of such a deal? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is important to maintain confidence, determination, and drive amongst the ranks. In what way is soldiers’ morale a factor in the Pidyon Shvuyim discussion? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the 1973 Yom Kippur war, many IDF soldiers were taken captive. Do the same pidyon shvuyim guidelines apply, or are there unique considerations when we are dealing with soldiers? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If terrorists demand the release of other terrorists in order to free hostages, is this a case of pidyon shvuyim? Perhaps this scenario should be considered under a different legal rubric? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we recap remarkable the story of the 1970 Dawson’s Field hijackings and explore the reactions of American rabbis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel requested that the International Committee of the Red Cross visits our brothers and sisters who are held hostage in Gaza. Do we have precedents in the annals of Jewish history for visiting captives? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was there ever a time that our people left a hostage in captivity? For this episode, we travel to 13th century Germany. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How did the 16th century Cairo Jewish community react to kidnap situations? And how did rabbinic leaders explain the community’s conduct? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should we be willing to pay any price to secure the release of captives? Surely, paying overpriced ransoms incentivises terrorists? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Maggid of Melbourne opens this series with a look at the centrality of securing the release of hostages. Why is this considered such an important mitzvah? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during a time such as this? What guidance does the Torah have for us during such tough times? In the final episode of this 3-part series, Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper d...

On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during a time such as this? What guidance does the Torah have for us during such tough times? In the second episode of this 3-part series, Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper...

On October 7, as Jews around the world were celebrating Simchat Torah, terrorists crossed into Israel attacking communities across southern Israel. While left reeling from the pain of this tragedy, many of us are wondering, how do we pray during a time such as this? What guidance does the Torah have for us during such tough times? In the first episode of this 3-part series, Rabbi Dr. Levi Cooper e...