Bar Kupershtein Shares Emotional Story of Fasting as Hostage in Gaza on Tisha B'Av

Bar Kupershtein, a survivor of captivity in Gaza, recounted a deeply personal experience from his time as a hostage during Tisha B'Av, the Jewish day of mourning. Despite the harsh conditions in the tunnel where he and other captives were held, Kupershtein and the other hostages chose to fast on this solemn day. He explained that fasting in such circumstances was challenging because it required rationing food from the previous day to have something to eat after the fast ended.

Kupershtein said the decision to fast was driven by faith and hope, expressing that they believed their fasting might contribute to their eventual release. He confirmed that they were ultimately freed. Addressing those observing the fast this year, Kupershtein urged them to remember the six hostages who fasted in Gaza the previous year despite the difficulty.

He concluded by expressing hope that his story would provide strength to others fasting this year and wished everyone an easy and meaningful fast.