A year and a half after being released from Hamas captivity, Omer Shem Tov is releasing a new book titled (in Hebrew): "A Meeting with Myself in Hell."
In the book, published by Sella Meir Publishers, Shem Tov documents his ordeals during the 505 days in captivity, the thoughts that accompanied him, and the faith that helped him endure.
"On October 7th, my life stopped. I didn't choose to be abducted. I didn't choose to spend 505 days in the Hamas tunnels. I didn't choose to be far away from my family, from my friends, and from my life," Shem Tov wrote when the book was released.
He mentioned the period when he was isolated in captivity: "I certainly did not choose to spend 50 days alone, in a dark cell, just me, my thoughts, and G-d." According to Shem Tov, it was there, of all places, that he discovered the place where he still had control. "But in fact, at the place where nearly everything was taken from me, I understood that I still had one thing: free choice."
Shem Tov explained: "The freedom to choose what to think. What to believe. What to give up on. And how to hold on even when the reality around me is impossible."
Shem Tov wrote that the decision to write the book stemmed from a desire to document his memories from captivity, but not just them: "I began writing 'A Meeting with Myself in Hell' so I won't forget. Not only what happened to me there, but also the things that helped me through it, the thoughts that went through my head, the difficult moments, the faith, and the things I understood about myself."
Shem Tov added that, together with the events that were not in his control, he wishes to choose how he carries the experience with him throughout his life: "I didn't choose what happened to me. But I do choose what to take out of it with me for life."
After months of work on the book, Shem Tov shared his excitement ahead of the publication: "After months of work, I am excited that this book is finally coming out and that I can share it with you. This is my story, as I remember it and as I choose to tell it."