Who will our heroes be – A modern Maccabbe

For those of us who value the Jewish tradition and Torah values, we live in a generation where we have true role models and heroes in our midst. If we were not blinded by an ever-growing wall of segregation and disunity, we’d recognize the amazing asset we possess and the incredible Kiddush Hashem that is surely self-evident.

When we were children, who were our heroes who fired our imagination? For some, it was great religious sages and great Jewish figures of history; for others, it wasn’t figures of Jewish tradition but instead music, sport and popular culture that have dominated. We all had someone. We also had our folktales, tales, and stories around which we read to our children. Most of us hope our kids are inspired by those who most embody the tradition we value.

Now, for a moment, forget which kippa or head covering you wear or that you don’t wear, which community you are affiliated with, and all political opinions. Just for the sake of the exercise, focus on the pure desire of the Torah.

Provided by family

Would the following profile qualify unambiguously as one such point of inspiration, a true hero of Am Yisrael…

• A Ben-Torah who spent 5 years in a classic yeshiva, who loved Limmud Torah, who married an equally special wife with 4 beautiful young children being raised in a rich Torah environment.
• A man who, with his wife, acted as foster parents to tens of children at high risk.
• A soldier who participated in a Milchemet Mitzvah on the front line protecting the Land and People of Israel from annihilation.
• Whilst doing so, he learned, when possible, daily with each of his children.
• A brother whose 4 other brothers were doing the same, whose wives were selflessly taking care of their children’s needs.
• A hero who sadly but bravely fell on the battlefield in Lebanon and who held on his body the Sefer “Shnayim Mikra V’echud Targum,” which was found blood-soaked on him, with a bullet piercing it (see photos)
  

  Sefer with Bullet Hole (Courtesy of Family)

Would it be fair to say that had his story been recorded by the Talmud, Josephus, or the Book of the Maccabees, he would be seen by all as a hero? He would be one of many, but one nonetheless.

Sadly, due to our divisions, this might not happen! It might not happen because he happened to wear the uniform of the IDF. Unbelievably, some will even see his sacrifice as in some way ‘not the right way’…

It is, however, also a huge opportunity to inspire the next generation. His passion for learning, educating his kids, and their love of Torah even when fighting in war should truly uplift us. His example of holding by his heart both the Shield of David and the Holy Bible, and the memory of his blood-soaked Sefer, should help us stop our divisions and bring all of us together under the same Tallit.

Pictures courtesy of family

With the current non-participation of a large part of the Jewish people in the defence of the state and its politicization, we are surely losing sight of what our mission is and what G-d wants from us as Jews. We must learn Torah, keep mitzvot, and be a sanctification of G-d’s name, but we must stand up and do what the Torah explicitly says is our job – to serve alongside our people in protecting our land. It is a holy task and one all of us are called upon to do.

Eliav Abitbol (ZTL) is this hero mentioned above, one of many such men and women, some on the front line and others in critical positions such as medics, intelligence, and home front. Eliav’s father is a close friend who, with his wife, has raised his children with both the passion of Torah and love of his people.

Pictures courtesy of family

They are mourning the loss of their son but they see a way whereby his service and sacrifice can serve a deeper purpose for the Jewish People.

Their son was a passionate lover of Torah and this together with his willingness to sacrifice his life, it should serve as an example to all who value the Torah and Limmud Torah. They do this in the hope that his sacrifice will lead to more unity – and inspiration – in the beautiful and diverse nation of Israel. They seek the union of our people not by eliminating our differences but by building upon our differences to serve G-d and His Torah.

He, and those like him, should unite us, fire our imagination, and inspire our nation, not divide us. We are living in truly miraculous times, and we are letting it go by. Let’s bring these stories to our Shabbat Table and to the nighttime stories we tell our children and grandchildren – that way the memories of our loved ones will fuel those who follow us.