In a miraculous and almost unbelievable turn of events, Avinatan Ohr returned home safely after two years in captivity – on the very same date that a dollar of the Rebbe, given to the family two years earlier for his safe return, was dated.

The story begins shortly after the tragic events of October 7, when Avinoam was taken hostage. A Lubavitcher chossid, Yitzhar Mordechai from Nachlas Har Chabad, decided to give the Ohr family a special gift: a dollar he had personally received from the Rebbe on 21 Tishrei 5744 (1983). He gave it as a merit for Avinatan’s safe and speedy return.

When presenting the dollar, Yitzhar included a message to Avinatan’s mother, Ditza, which contained a detail that would later carry far more weight than anyone could have imagined.

“Gilad Shalit’s mother also received a dollar of the Rebbe dated (21 Tishrei) and Gilad was released on that very date (21 Tishrei). May you merit a salvation.”

Deeply touched, Ditza thanked him and responded with emotion that she was holding onto hope and that she looked forward to returning the dollar as soon as her son came home safely.

Two years passed.

And then, incredibly, last week – exactly on 21 Tishrei, the very same Hebrew date the dollar was received and just like with Gilad Shalit, Avinatan Ohr was finally freed and returned home.