Two videos

I came across two emotional videos this morning. One link to a video was sent to me by email. The other video (in Hebrew) is on the Haredim website.
A rabbi gave a shiur to a group of men who came together to learn Torah in the merit of Gilad Shalit's release. (Hopefully, the reports of his imminent end to captivity that are making the rounds on the internet will come true speedily.)
For those of you who don't understand Hebrew, I have translated the beginning words of the rabbi. Those who wish to see the entire video, can click here.

The Talmud [Chullin 7A] relates that Rabi Pinchas ben Yair was on his way to perform the mitzvah of redeeming captives. He came to the Gina'i River which he was unable to cross. "Gina'i," he commanded, "divide your waters so I may pass." The river retorted, "You are going to do the will of the Creator, and I, by having my waters flow, am doing the will of the Creator. You are uncertain if you'll be successful or unsuccessful in your mission. I am certain that I am succeeding. Rabi Pinchas ben Yair sharply responded: "If you don't split for me, I'll decree that water will never again flow through you!" As the Iyun Yaakov explains, Rabi Pinchas ben Yair was telling the Gina'i that the will of the Creator is that it submits to the will of His servants. The waters immediately split.
http://www.torah.org/learning/parsha-insights/5759/beshalach.html

The rabbi conducting the lecture in the video said that the river had a legitimate claim. It asked "I am definitely fulfilling my purpose in creation, but there are doubts as to whether you will succeed in your task. So, why should I split for you, if you are unsure of the outcome of your actions?"
The rabbi explained that Rabi Pinchas ben Yair was teaching us an important lesson that our actions should not be predicated on a successful outcome. It is up to us to do all that we can to fulfill a certain task, regardless of the what happens.
So too, the men who are learning along with the rabbi, in order to increase the merits for Gilad Shalit, are unsure whether their actions will contribute to the desired effect. But, they must strive with their actions, and with their learning Torah and reciting Tehilim, to do all in their power to help Gilad Shalit eventually win his release.

The video sent by email is a short movie from the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival.
To access video, click on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SFJewishFilmFestival#p/a