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Source: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1214726154389&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
What Would the Sages Say about the Prisoner Agreement?
[Jerusalem Post ] Matthew Wagner - Jews have developed an extensive rabbinic literature dealing with the redeeming of hostages. Over the centuries, Jews have been kidnapped, imprisoned and ransomed by criminals armed with the knowledge that Jewish sensibilities would not permit a Jewish hostage to remain in captivity. There were times in history when kidnappings were so common that extreme measures had to be taken. For example, Rabbi Meir of Rotenberg (1215-1293) was taken hostage by a German vassal named Rudolph who demanded an exorbitant ransom. The imprisoned rabbi issued a ruling from his cell ordering his students and followers not to pay. The rabbi knew that if the ransom were paid this time, there would be no end to extortion attempts against the Jewish community. Rabbi Meir died in captivity after seven years. However, there is no Jewish legal precedent for freeing terrorists in exchange for the body of a Jew. Only for the sake of saving a life is a Jew obligated to go to extreme lengths.