Hostage survivor Rom Breslavsky reveals surprising step: "Returning to holiness"

Hostage survivor Rom Breslavsky shared that he has decided to take upon himself the practice of shmirat negiah (avoiding physical contact with the opposite sex), following Torah lessons from Rabbi Yigal Cohen. The decision is part of a religious strengthening process he has undergone since returning from captivity, where he insisted on maintaining his Judaism despite the terrorists' attempts to convert him to Islam.

Hostage survivor Rom Breslavsky shared that he has decided to take upon himself the practice of shmirat negiah, a surprising step he revealed in a social media post. According to him, the decision was made following Torah lessons from Rabbi Yigal Cohen, whom he called "one who merits the many." Breslavsky addressed his female followers and asked for understanding: "If you encounter me and I did not extend my hand, please understand." The decision is part of a religious strengthening process he has undergone since returning from captivity. During his time in Hamas tunnels, he said the terrorists repeatedly tried to break his spirit and convert him to Islam, promising him food and gifts in exchange for reading the Quran or fasting during Ramadan. Breslavsky insisted on maintaining his Judaism and repeatedly told his captors: "I am a Jew, I am strong, I will not break." In a previous interview, he spoke about faith that grew stronger precisely in the most terrible place, and that he composed a unique prayer formula when he could not remember the prayer by heart. Today he observes Shabbat and describes a process of full repentance.