The return of Gilad Shalit to the land of the living is a great thing indeed, however Rabbi Ovadiah is incorrect with his interpretation of the Thirteenth Article of Faith. The idea of resurrection can be explained. The prophecies allude to it, and the wise sages pre the destruction of the Second Temple Era analysed it at length. It does not mean a physical resurrection. (BTW, the Christian sects appropriated and packaged the resurrection prophecies. This was partly wishful thinking, delusion and blind hope. All the other monotheistic faiths are paths to the ultimate Redemption however.) Let me explain...It is the year 2065. Violence has been eradicated from the affairs of humankind. The General Welfare is at a healthy level for eight billion people. Workers toil for 35 hours per week on average. There is ample time for rest, play and reflection. The needs of the living are well taken care of. The Yet to Come are welcomed into the world. The Church of Latter Day Saints Genealogical Department opened their vaults to other researchers decades earlier. A vast map showing all the 40 billion human beings that have ever lived has been constructed. There are some gaps but it is an impressive achievement. Yad Vashem has been a big help with the project. Genealogy is a favourite pastime for many. People are able to sit down and reflect on who their ancestors where; what the conditions of their lives were; where they lived; what work they did; who they associated with; where they walked; the temperature at the time, what food they ate; what they wore etc. It is possible to get very close to understanding what they may have been thinking and feeling. Empathy reaching back through time ! (I have actually done this with my patrilineal great-great-great grandfather who is pivotal to my story. I have researched in great depth his life from 1815 to 1832.) Empathetic understanding is one of the highest points on the self actualisation pyramid. Many people unfortunately can't even empathise with themselves, let alone their partner, children or friends. The dead ? Forget about it ! In the mature Messianic Age, empathy for the living, yet to come and dead will be commonplace. Please note such behaviour is not necromancy. So the spirit of those who have come before will be manifest. I can explain more on this subject, the timeline of the Redemption and the other Articles of Faith, but not here and now. BTW, Moshiach is alive and breathing right now doing his work. He is also not in the Holy Land at the moment.

..and much joy in Heaven too...

Ovadia has forgiven Shalit's sin of falling in the hands of enemy. But, Ovadia will never forgive fallen soldiers for their not reading Torah. Born Abdallah (slave of Allah), Ovadia is not rabbinical shame.

So wishy washy. One minute they are cheering on the idea that the state of Israel shall fall as it is G-d's will the Rabbis rule and the next praising and comparing a successful return of a soldier that supports the state to some divine life resurection. Well which is it Ovadia? Are you for G-d's will or not? Are you right about what G-d wants? Is this like that? Fact is I am happy for Gilad's return and I hope with counseling he can put it behind him. G-d says He will utterly destroy choose death and erase them. I don't think we should be waiting for some "free" make it all better day but rather get to work on removing Evil from ourselves and from Israel. For example racism. Too much to ask. Stop the war on your fellow Jews for not agreeing with fasle additions..

of Gilads Imma and Abba. For Israel Stands Strong Regardless Of Critizism's. Hashem Has Set The Rules, even if we dont understand. Baruch Hashem

if I had you, that would be the only thing I'd ever need, I don't think I'd release you for any thing . Service to humanity is the best work of life ; )

Please would someone explain how one can connect the negotiated return of a very LIVE soldier with resurrection of the dead? Besides, I thought Youssef thought IDF soldiers were "deserving" of being killed/wounded/captured because they weren't as dedicated to Torah as they should be (all according to HIS rules, of course.) Welcome back Gilad; may your wishes expressed in you interview become reality.

would have been put in an old age home long ago and forgotten. If Gilad being freed was like the End of Days, it is because of the freed murderous terrorists that it will be the end of days for future victims of this deal.

You are so very, very wrong! Rav Ovadia Yosef is a true zionist in the real meaning of the word, as are his followers. They certainly have never looked for the destruction of the state of Israel. You are confusing them with the idiots in Neturei Karta. In general hareidim today (and I am talking about the mainstream, not the crazy ones) are extremely zionist, very loyal to Israel and the Jewish people and prayed continually for the release of Gilad Shalit. The joy on people's faces on Tuesday where I live was obvious to anyone. A "swap" like this shows us that a Jewish neshama is worth more than 1000 terrorists.

If they are Zionists, then why don't they serve in the I.D.F. both male and female. Sitting on their butts in some yeshiva is not the equal to defending Israel! Nor is having a lot of babies who will grow up to be draft dodgers. Let them serve and then go to work. We are tired of defending and supporting your "zionists". Finally displaying the Israeli flag at their institutions, standing for both Holocaust and Heroes and Martyrs Day and closing to celebrate Independence Day shows Zionism. I met moslims and xtians that were 1000x more loyal Zionists than the ayatollah yusuf and his kind.