Former Hamas Hostage Rom Braslavski Adopts Strict Religious Practice

Former Hamas hostage Rom Braslavski announced on Wednesday that he has decided to adopt the religious practice of shmirat negiah (abstaining from physical contact with the opposite sex). He attributed his decision to the Torah classes of Rabbi Yigal Cohen.

Braslavski explained that he will strive to overcome this new spiritual challenge, asking his female followers for understanding if he refrains from shaking hands. This step is part of a broader religious strengthening process that began during his captivity in Gaza.

During his time in Hamas tunnels, captors repeatedly pressured him to convert to Islam, offering better conditions, food, and gifts in exchange for reading the Quran or fasting during Ramadan. Despite severe hunger and harsh conditions, Braslavski refused, telling his captors he was a proud Jew.

In a recent television interview, Braslavski shared that his faith deepened significantly during captivity. Although he grew up in a traditional environment in Neve Yaakov, he only fully embraced religious observance after October 7, committing to keep Shabbat and practice daily prayer.