Twenty Years without Major Roi Klein. A tribute to a Jewish Hero.

Today, I had the solemn privilege of visiting the grave of Major Roi Klein z”l at the Mt. Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem. As I stood amidst the serene surroundings, my thoughts drifted back twenty years to a pivotal moment in Israeli history – the Second Lebanon War of 2006.

I vividly recall receiving the emergency call-up, known as “Tzav Shmoneh,” while I was in Australia for a Zionist education conference. Without hesitation, I rushed back to join my unit in the midst of conflict. It was during this war that the heartbreaking news of Major Roi Klein’s heroic sacrifice shook us to the core.

Major Roi Klein, a deputy battalion commander in the Golani brigade, made the ultimate sacrifice by jumping on a grenade while shouting the words of the Shema Yisrael prayer to save his fellow soldiers. His selfless act of bravery and devotion to his comrades left an indelible mark on all who heard his story.

After the war, I fulfilled a promise I made to myself by taking a Birthright group to visit Major Roi Klein’s grave. Despite my prepared speech, I found myself overwhelmed with emotion. The image of his widow, Sarah, and their young children, Gilad and Yoav, who were the same age as my own children at the time, visiting his gravesite for years to come, filled me with profound sadness.

Roi’s sister, Yifat, poignantly expressed the enduring pain of loss, saying, “You’ve become everyone’s hero, and I’m left with only memories, pictures, and pain.” The passage of twenty years has not lessened the impact of Major Roi Klein’s sacrifice on those who knew and loved him.

As we commemorate his twentieth memorial day and honour Major Roi Klein’s memory on what would have been his fifty-first birthday, it is essential to reflect on the values he embodied. Major Roi Klein was a Religious Zionist who exemplified his love for his religion, people, and land through his actions. He was a dedicated officer in the IDF, a student of Rabbinical ordination, a university graduate, and above all, a devoted husband and father.

In Judaism, we are taught that the quality of one’s life is measured by the impact they have on others and the choices they make in their “moment of truth.” Major Roi Klein’s life culminated in his moment of truth, where he displayed unwavering courage and selflessness. His legacy of sanctifying God’s name through his actions continues to inspire us all.

May we honour the memory of this Jewish hero by emulating his values of selflessness, bravery, and devotion. May his children find comfort in his eternal deeds, and may Major Roi Klein’s legacy serve as a beacon of light for generations to come.

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Dr. Tuvia Book is a combat medic currently serving on reserved duty in the IDF’s PALMAR medical extraction unit, an internationally acclaimed speaker, tour guide and the author of four books including his latest, “Heroes of PALMAR, How One IDF Unit Revolutionized Combat Medicine in Gaza.”