Chagai Luber, a religious settler, is the father of Yehonatan Luber Hy”d, who was killed when fighting in Gaza, and the uncle of Hillel and Yagel Yaniv, who were brutally murdered in a shooting attack in Huwara. Last week, Chagai met with members of Achim LaNeshek, a left-wing group of IDF reservists who protested against judicial reform. The meeting went well and made headway in its goal to foster national unity. After two hours of productive conversation, Chagai told everyone that he must leave. It was time to daven, and he had to say Kaddish for his son.
The members of Achim LaNeshek invited him to say Kaddish right there and asked what would be required. They would help him with whatever he needed. Chagai informed them that they would need ten men. His new friends went from office to office, looking for men, and returned with more than ten to form a minyan. “Now what?” they asked. Chagai explained that they would have to cover their heads. The men covered their heads with sweatshirts, kerchiefs, and papers. Chagai explained that they would be required to say “Amein.” The men were happy to do so but had no idea when to say it. Chagai told them that he would hold up his hand when it was time for them to say Amein. Chagai davened and said Kaddish together with this group of men who are worlds apart from him ideologically. But on cue, they would say Amein with a full heart. Chagai believes that this was the sweetest Kaddish that was said for his son.
The rav of a battalion walked among some combat soldiers. Two soldiers approached him. Neither wore a kippah and one was covered with tattoos. They told him they would like to bring a sefer Torah into Gaza. As much as the rav would have liked to accommodate them, bringing a sefer Torah into Gaza is a complicated procedure. Not wanting to miss the opportunity, the rav came up with the idea to bring a Torah to the assembly area just outside of Gaza. At least, chayalim coming out of Gaza would benefit from it.
The rav instructed the chayalim who had approached him to get the Torah and then pick him up on the way to the border. When the chayalim came the following morning, one of them was overcome with emotion. The chayal explained that he hadn’t cried during the many weeks of the war when he couldn’t go home and was separated from his family. But ever since he put the Torah in his car, he couldn’t stop crying. His pintele yid was ignited in the presence of the Torah.
Since the incident of the sefer Torah, the battalion was discharged from service. Nonetheless, the chayalim continue their efforts and even figured out a way to bring the sefer Torah into Gaza every Monday and Thursday. Recently, a Deputy Battalion Commander named his daughter when receiving an aliyah to the Torah in Gaza. The flame of the Torah burns brightly and spreads light.
The war has triggered a spiritual awakening in many. Many have reached out to Ayelet HaShachar, a kiruv organization, asking to learn Torah and keep Shabbos. A ripple effect causes this awakening to spread. A mother and son were walking down the street. Based on how they were dressed, they did not appear to be religious. The boy did not wear a kippah, but he was wearing tzitzis. Someone who passed by asked him why he was wearing tzitzis. The boy answered that he wanted to be like the chayalim. The trend is catching on.
Yeshivat Hesder Afikei Daat went back home to Sderot several weeks ago. Although Rosh HaYeshivah HaRav David Fendel believes that the residents of Sderot should not return until the area is more secure, he believes that the learning that is taking place in the yeshivah protects the city. When the boys returned, they continued the hakafos of Simchas Torah that were interrupted due to the war.
Captain Shaul Greenglick was killed in Gaza several weeks ago. Several weeks ago, his mother, Ruti, wrote to Sivan Rahav-Meir, a media personality and lecturer, telling her some of her thoughts. After the shiv’ah, her family traveled to the Aravah to get away from it all. There was no shul where Shaul’s father and brothers could say Kaddish. Shaul’s sister sent out a message on an Aravah Facebook group asking for help. From that point, residents of the area made sure that the Greenglicks had a minyan three times a day. They also brought them food and offered them tours and massages. Ruti, Shaul’s mother, does not read the news so that she can hold on to the hug she received from am Yisrael. Ruti recalled something that Sivan Rahav-Meir had written. Even though Yosef was sold by his brothers and sent to prison, he chose to reframe the events of his life. Rather than live his life as a victim, he chose to figure out why he was put in that position and how he could contribute. Ruti believes that her family can also choose to dream like Yosef.
We hope the stories we hear will only be positive and uplifting. Please continue to daven for the recovery of the sick, the release of the remaining hostages, and the success and safe return of all the chayalim and security personnel.
Note: Several of these stories were taken from a WhatsApp chat called “The Miracles of G-d and His Strength in the State of Israel.”
Suzie Steinberg, (nee Schapiro), CSW, is a native of Kew Gardens Hills and resident of Ramat Beit Shemesh who publishes articles regularly in various newspapers and magazines about life in general, and about life in Israel in particular. Her recently published children’s book titled Hashem is Always With Me can be purchased in local Judaica stores as well as online. Suzie can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and would love to hear from you.
