Pidyon Shvuyim in the NYT

Check out this interesting article for a perspective on the halachik issues behind the deal for Gilad Shalit.  A friend told me that a local Rabbi who never talks politics or current events gave his drasha on Shmini Atzeret about this topic.  He defended the deal, despite the gemara's instructions not to redeem captives for excessive prices by noting that the gemara allows paying any price for an extremely important person.  Considering what Gilad has come to represent to the Jewish world, he certainly qualifies.