To Yoav Sorek from Esor Ben-Sorek

My very dear Yoav,

We do not know one another. We have never met. But we have in common a family name that unites us.

Aich nafal gibor? How can I console the loving family in the tragic terrorist murder of a beautiful young gifted and beloved 19-year-old son? I know him only through the comments and condolences in praise of a wonderful student, a compassionate and caring human being, a young man who respected all created in God’s image.

Everything written and said about him should fill you and your family with eternal pride. In his brief life he accomplished much, was respected by his teachers, admired and loved by fellow students and friends.

His tragic murder aches in the hearts of all Israelis. Though we never knew him, he has become, through his tragic murder, a part of our lives. He lives within our hearts…broken hearts.

As I look at the photo of a handsome, beautiful boy, my heart is broken and tears fall from my eyes. A father shares the great sorrow with another father.

How can I comfort you? How can I embrace you and bless you for bringing such a beautiful life into the world?

I hope that monuments will be built to memorialize Dvir’s name forever.

I read accounts of his compassion for others less fortunate. He once saw an elderly Arab man walking a sick donkey. Dvir’s sensitivity prompted him to purchase the donkey from its owner and he worked to revive and restore the donkey to good health.

This is not a fable. It is a factual account of a young man with a big heart who cared to render help to the needy. A very unusual man. A gifted musiscian. A devoted Torah student. A Jew in heart and in nefesh.

There are not many like Dvir. He was unique. His memory will be a shining example to every Jewish young man in Israel to follow in the paths in which he walked. To walk in his footsteps with his memory guiding them in the ways in which he walked.

The many thousands who attended his funeral are a living dynamic tribute to a very special and holy young Jewish boy who was cheated from years of his life.

To his grieving father Yoav Sorek and family, accept tanchumim from Esor Ben-Sorek. May Dvir’s memory ever be for a blessing. Hashem natan. Hashem lakach. Yehi shem Hashem mevorach.

Tihiyeh nishmato tzrura bi-tzrur ha chayim. Yehi zichro livracha lanetzach.

From the aching heart of one father to the breaking heart of another father, cherish the memories of a young gibor b’Yisrael. Teach the stories of his life to other young Israelis. Let his memory live on within their hearts and minds.

HaMakom yenachem etchem b’toch sh’ar avalai Tziyon v’Yerushalayim. Amen.

May you be comforted among the mourners out of the gates of Zion and Jerusalem. Amen.