What Edan Alexander's return means to us

(JNS) — This week, one of our prayers has been answered: Edan Alexander is free.

Taken hostage during the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, and dragged into the Gaza Strip along with some 250 others, he is now able to see the sky after 584 days in captivity. And while we thank God for his return, we must also take a few minutes to reflect on something even larger — what it means when a young man like Edan chooses to leave his family, friends and future behind to serve a people and a nation he didn’t have to.

Because he didn’t have to come back to Israel.

Edan, who was born in Tel Av...