Angrest said he prayed regularly despite the conditions of captivity and eventually gathered the courage to request a prayer book from a senior Hamas figure.
By Shula Rosen
A soldier released in the recent hostage agreement has fulfilled a promise made by his mother during his long imprisonment in Gaza, Israel Hayom reported.
Matan Angrest, taken from his tank on October 7 and held for 15 months, traveled to Tiberias shortly after returning home to pray at the tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes.
Family members said the visit fulfilled a promise made by his mother, Anat, while he was in captivity.
Angrest’s trip to the site, which holds deep spiritual significance for many Israelis, was described as an expression of gratitude after his return.
He arrived, he said, “to give thanks and praise for the miracles and wonders and to say the Nishmat Kol Chai prayer with a prayer quorum.”
Relatives had sought guidance throughout the ordeal, turning to Rabbi David Abuhatzeira for counsel while their son remained in Hamas custody.
Hagai Angrest recounted on Kol Barama Radio that the family decided to add a name to their son during those months of uncertainty. “Rabbis recommended we add a name to our Matan. We received the blessing of the Admor Rabbi David Abuhatzeira, and we added the name Shahar,” he said.
After returning to Israel, Angrest described moments of faith that sustained him. He said he prayed regularly despite the conditions of captivity and eventually gathered the courage to request a prayer book from a senior Hamas figure.
The book was provided, he recalled. “It gave me hope. I used it to pray three times a day.”
Angrest, 22, had been serving in an IDF unit positioned near Nahal Oz on October 7 when terrorists struck. He was wounded and pulled from his tank, while several of the soldiers fighting beside him were killed or abducted.
The bodies of Staff Sgt. Itay Chen and Capt. Daniel Peretz, who were also taken to Gaza, have since been returned in the same deal. Another member of their crew, Tomer Leibovitz, died in the battle that day while helping protect residents living near the border.
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