after all of HIS service, that ought to compensate more than enough to let her see her brother after 5-1/2 YEARS. Really?

How very arrogant of you to judge and slander others according to a religious belief that they do not share in. As if declaring yourself religious automatically gives you some kind of moral high ground. You should be ashamed of yourself. We are free to make our own choices in life, yes there are secular people who are decent human beings , helping others who dont need to go around in religious clothing preaching to others about so called morality. Get a life !

Gilad's sister did go to the Shalit house to see her newly released brother. She had dinner with the family but had to return to her base. Rules are rules in the IDF. Not a good idea to break them!

How do you know? and anyway it's none of your business...

Dear all, Before running your mouths advising the Shalit family on what to do, ask yourself, "Did I volunteer for the IDF? Am I living in Israel"? If not, don't run your mouths about a reality you cannot comprehend. Have a delightful sunday at home while we in Israel are going to work to pay a ton of taxes to support our state.

we are all curious! by reading and commenting on this article, you have proved that! if people like you stop reading about his personal life, the media wouldnt need to follow him and report it to us. personally i think they are being very tackful about him!

So true. Noam Shalit used religious Jews to advocate for his son, and then can't even find a way to thank G-d for the miracle to his son's survival. And Gilad? A product of the morally bankrupt secular education given him here in the Jewish state. The Kotel awaits, Gilad - come and thank G-d.

when will the FESTIVAL be over?????????????????????it's gotten totally out of proportion. Let's get on with more important things. Gilad is home. We do not have to hear about every step he or his father takes.

Gilad Shalit's first weekend of freedom...enjoying the nature that Hashem created on Shabbat Beresheit, a choice difficult to understand for many religious Jews, including many of us who also love the beach, and many of us who were born and raised as religious Jews, who do not have the experience of coming to Hashem and to Torah as Baalei Teshuva from not having been raised as an observant Jews...... By his own understanding and ability at this time in his life, this was his chosen way to remember and to thank Hashem for his freedom, and we must not condemn, but rather have compassion, and also pray that this may be the beginning of a new and deeper understanding of Hashem and of Torah for him, IYH, Inshallah, G-dwilling...

First and foremost, we must remember that this young man risked his life each and every day as an IDF soldier, in order to defend Klal Israel and Eretz Israel, in order to help protect us and keep us safe...and for this, we should be forever grateful...

...including many of us who also love the beach, and many of us who were born and raised as religious Jews, who do not have the experience of coming to Hashem and to Torah as Baalei Teshuva from not having been raised as observant Jews...

We do not know if Gilad went to Shul on Friday night. It is possible that the medical authorities suggested a beach visit. I know for five years we in shul pray for the IDF along with a prayer for Israel. When we say the prayer for the defenders if Israel, we think of many who gave lives as well as Gilad. I am certain when he goes to Shul it will be very emotional.

He was shut up by Hamas and deprived of health-giving sunlight for 5 years! So of course going to the beach is necessary for his health! How do you talkbackers know he did not thank G-D many times since he came out of captivity? You are not G-D to know what is in his heart. G-D bless Gilad! BTW I am haredi.

As a Turkish muslim staying in Israel for few years now, i pray for Gilad all the time. We are at the same age and it breaks my heart to know that he suffered for 5,5 years while i was having many achievements and joyful moments. In my own way, I ask from God to give him the physical and mental strenght to live every second he missed! I am sure both Gilad and his family prayed enough before and after his release. We all prayed for him! But you should know that God doesnt need a synagouge, church or mosque. He knows our hearts. We can never know what Gilad & his family went through so instead of judging them, just try to put some love in your heart. Im sure Elohim will be more pleased! Welcome home, Gilad!

Keep religion out of it. Noam Shalit doesn't have to thank hashem. He has to thank himself, his family, and his government for their actions and 5.5 year-long campaign, that's what brought Gilad back. Welcome home Gilad! Best wishes to you and your family.