Omer Shem Tov

I heard Shelly Shem-Tov, mother of hostage Omer, speak a few months ago. Omer has asthma and celiac disease and that strikes so close to my heart (I have asthma and two of our kids have celiac disease. And each time released hostages speak of their entire food rations being one pita bread a day, I think of Omer).

Last week, Shelly spoke about what it's like seeing other hostages being released and reunited with their families:

"I have birth to my Omer by Cesarean section and I didn't feel the contractions. Now I feel like I'm in moments of severe labor. They ask me to breathe deeply to ease the pain. Every moment is an eternity. The hours of a normal birth have turned into weeks. Every Shabbat is harder than the next. When I'm in it, it's an imaginary delivery room. There are other mothers there. They receive their children. The sight of this becomes harder and harder every week. I have no control.

I know that everything is accurate and my Omer will come to me in the right place and at the right time. He is alive....And like during the birth, when they placed him on my chest, this time I will run to him and hug him and cry. I will cry with joy. My child will be born again. I pray to the Creator of the World that it will be this week and I need your help. Dear women, you will help me. You are my midwives. On Shabbat, do an act of strengthening for him. Whoever is able to keep this Shabbat for Omer, I will be so very grateful to them. I know it is very difficult, but just because it is so difficult, Gd will reward us for it and Omer will be guarded and protected."

It was announced yesterday that Omer Shem-Tov is on the list of hostages set for release this Shabbat. Please Gd.

Shabbat Shalom