Behind the Dvar Malchus Booklet Found by a Hostage in Gaza

By Mushi Fogelman

And Now You Know the Rest of the Story…

For those familiar with the legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey, those words will resonate deeply: “And now you know the rest of the story.” Last week, while traveling in Israel with JLI—an experience worthy of its own article—we found ourselves in the city of Binyamin, nestled just over the hill from Shilo in Yehuda and Shomron. Our journey led us to meet the governor of Yehuda and Shomron, but the encounter that unfolded was far more than a diplomatic exchange—it was a revelation of courage, sacrifice, and divine purpose.

We were greeted by Eliana, a woman originally from San Francisco, who had relocated to Binyamin 35 years ago. She arrived in a caravan, devoid of electricity or running water, driven by a vision few could fathom. As she vividly described the region’s history, the current perilous situation, and the dangers lurking in the shadows, her words painted a picture of resilience amid chaos. But the moment that would etch itself into our memories came when a young man entered the room. His presence was commanding, his stride that of a soldier, yet his demeanor radiated a deeper authority—a natural leadership power that was impossible to ignore. When Eliana invited him to speak, he humbly deferred, insisting that the governor, who was on his way, should address us instead.

After the governor’s speech, as we prepared to leave, this young man stepped forward. “You are Chabadnikim, yes?” he began, his voice steady yet charged with emotion. What followed was a story of valor, heartbreak, and ultimate redemption.

He revealed that he had come to Israel as a teenager and, driven by an unwavering commitment to defend the Jewish people, joined the Israeli army at the earliest opportunity. His determination propelled him forward, and he eventually rose to serve in Duvdevan, the elite special forces unit of the Israeli military—reserved for the most courageous and skilled. During a critical moment in the war, his unit received intelligence suggesting hostages might be held in a specific area of war-torn Gaza. Seizing the mission, he led a team of 12 soldiers to camp out in a house near the suspected location. For a week, they gathered intelligence, their senses sharpened by the constant threat of danger.

Their efforts paid off: they pinpointed a tunnel entrance, confirmed the hostages’ presence, and received authorization to act. The plan was audacious—drop 60 feet into a shaft to rescue the captives. While lowering a drone into the 60 foot shaft tragedy struck immediately. The first soldier was shot, by sniper fire, and a fierce firefight erupted, leaving two others injured. In the chaos, they were forced to abandon the mission, evacuating their wounded and fallen comrades. The hostages, agonizingly close yet unreachable, remained in captivity.

Yehuda T.—the young leader—was devastated. He had trained his entire life for this moment, dedicating himself to this sacred duty, yet he felt he had failed. Not only had he lost a soldier and seen others wounded, but the hostages, within his literal grasp, slipped away. For weeks, then months, he was consumed by grief, unable to eat or sleep. Why had he failed? Why had Hashem not granted him success? He was broken, his spirit teetering on the edge of collapse.

Then, months later, a glimmer of clarity emerged. While watching television, he saw the release of Omar Shemtov, a hostage who, in a moment of profound gratitude, held up a “Dvar Malchus” (a Chabad discourse) and credited it with saving his life. Shemtov explained that, months earlier, one of his captors had thrown the pamphlet to him. He read it daily, drawing strength from its words, which he said were his lifeline. As the camera panned, Shemtov pointed to the name on the pamphlet: Yoel E.

Yehuda recognized the name instantly. Yoel was one of his soldiers, and he recalled how, during their week in that Gaza house, Yoel would study the “Dvar Malchus” amidst their tense preparations. Overwhelmed, Yehuda immediately called Yoel and shared the revelation. In that moment, the pieces fell into place. He realized that, though Hashem had not deemed it time to free the hostages, their mission had a higher purpose. They were sent to deliver that “Dvar Malchus” to Omar Shemtov, ensuring his survival through the darkest days of captivity.

“Our mission was not in vain,” Yehuda declared, his voice resolute. “We are all soldiers—soldiers of Hashem, you soldiers of the Rebbe. We don’t always comprehend the purpose or see the outcome of the missions we undertake, but we can be certain—100%—that if we embark on them with faith, the purpose will be fulfilled.”

And now, you know the rest of the story—a testament to the unseen threads of destiny, the power of faith, and the enduring strength of those who serve a cause greater than themselves.

 

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