Joy and excitement reigned in the sukkah of Rabbi Kook, the 'Tzadik of Tiberias,' upon the entry of Hagai Angrest, the father of kidnapped soldier Matan Shahar ben Anat, who came to thank him for the blessing given a year and a half ago.
Upon confirming the news with the relevant authorities that his son, soldier Matan, would soon return from captivity, Hagai arrived with great haste and joy for a special visit of appreciation.
The background to the moving visit was told by Rabbi Kook's close students - heads of the 'Shefti Cohen' institute, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Schneider and Rabbi Yaakov Brizel, who revealed that about a year and a half ago, the kidnapped man's mother, accompanied by the chairman of the 'Jewish Connection' organization, Tzilli Schneider, came to the 'Tzadik of Tiberias' and asked him to act with his blessing for her son's release in the near future.
Rabbi Kook then replied: "I cannot say that (that he will be released in the near future), but with God's help, in the end he will return home safe and sound.".
During the father's visit, which took place after he finally learned of the signing of the agreement, Rabbi Kook, despite his great weakness, instructed the father to immediately recite the blessing "Hatov HaMatev" in the name and kingdom of God, as a sign of joy and recognition of God's grace.
Afterwards, the rabbi performed a special priestly blessing for the excited father, with his son Rabbi Yossi HaCohen Kook at his side.
The excited father promised, for his part, that with God's help, he would come again soon with his kidnapped son, in order to receive his blessing.
Father Hagai said that the kidnapped man's mother strictly observed all the instructions and virtues that the Graad instructed her to follow at the time, when she came to seek his blessing, and added that he was certain that the right to fulfill the words of the righteous man and his blessing was up to their son.
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