Jewish Values in Action - We must do what we can for Gilad Shalit

In the past few weeks I have been asked many times to quote Jewish values. This is no easy task. Not because it is hard to come up with Jewish values, but for precisely the opposite reason - we have so many values represented in the Torah, rest of scriptures and even in our codes of law, that the answer is overwhelming.

In these conversations, one value pops up over and again - Pidyon Shvuyim, the rescuing of captives.

Rescuing captives is so important that the law states that any money the community collects should go first to the redemption of the captives - even if the money was set aside and already deemed holy - that is if it was already earmarked for the Synagogue or even the purchase of a Torah. In other words, people's lives come first.

With this in mind, I reflect on the anniversary of the kidknapping of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Israel has a real Sophie's Choice to make. Does it release convicted terrorists who will undoubtably kill others in exchange for the life of Shalit? But we Americans do not have the burden of that choice. And what are we doing?

Working for the release of a captive is perhaps our most important value. Certainly as stated above, it takes precedence over community building.

Jewish leadership follows Jewish values. Remember the times when we mobilized behind these values? Where is the vitality of the marches and demonstrations we remember from the Soviet Jewry era? The Ethiopian jewry era? Yes, this is one man (six is you consider the Israeli MIA's). According to Jewish law and value there is no difference between saving one man and saving a thousand. We must do our part.

Let's lead the charge - Americans need to help Gilad Shalit. We leaders need to decide how.