The Military Yeshiva Academy of 20 BNEI DAVID ELI TISHREI 5775 Bulletin | 2014

Rav Eli Sadan Commander Bnei David writes to the Bnei Col. Ofer Winter David graduates to his troops during Operation fighting in the war in advance of Protective Edge in the their deployment

undreds of Bnei David the command centers, speaking graduates who are with the officers either in person Hserving in the IDF or via field communicators. The land, navy and air forces are rabbis and students have visited participating in Operation the wounded in the hospitals Protective Edge, which is still and have participated in the under way as these lines are funerals of our fallen graduates being written. We have been (see the separate article). We in constant contact with our are continuing to stay in touch Warriors of Israel, An excerpt from a communiqué that Bnei David graduate Givati Brigade Commander alumni since the beginning of with the bereaved families and May Hashem be with you. this campaign. to support them in any way Col. Ofer Winter sent to his troops in advance of The Jewish people have been Rav Sadan sent a personal possible. After the shiva week their deployment in Operation Protective Edge. forced to plow the fields with letter of encouragement to the Rav Sadan and Rav Levinstein one hand and wield the sword Dear officers and soldiers, soldiers and we have included met with each family to offer with the other from the very day History has chosen us to be an abridged translation of this support and encouragement. we set foot in our homeland. the vanguard of the offensive letter for you. On the home front, Accounts of the heroism of our The Jewish state is the only against the brazen terrorist our students went to volunteer graduates have been published country in the world forced enemy who never ceases to in Ashkelon, one of the cities throughout this campaign, with to fight for its very existence insult, scorn and revile the with the highest number of the most widely publicized story unceasingly since its inception, G-d of the armies of Israel. rocket barrages. Our rabbis have being that of Lt. Eitan, who ran 66 years ago. We have prepared and readied been visiting the troops at the down a tunnel to try to rescue A cruel enemy has risen ourselves for this moment, assembly points, offering words Lt. Hadar Goldin, HY”D, who had against us to annihilate us. We and we undertake this mission of encouragement before the been kidnapped and dragged are confronting a rogue state, as emissaries, in complete soldiers enter combat, and during away. Eitan threw a grenade which uses its own women and humility, knowing that we are the fighting Rav Sadan visited  children as human shields to risking our lives in order to further its persistent project of defend ourselves, our people destruction. This is an enemy and our homeland. that values death as much as I trust each and every one of we cherish life. This existential you to act in this spirit – the spirit attack prompts one to ask: of the warriors of Israel who What is the meaning of the lead their regiments into battle. establishment of the Jewish I raise my eyes to the heavens state in the Land of Israel? and call out together with you:  

מכינה ישיבתית לצה“ל ישיבה לבוגרי צבא | ישיבה גבוהה בני דוד עֵ לִ י The Military Yeshiva Academy of Israel Eli D.N. Ephraim 4482800, Israel • [email protected] • www.bneidavid.org Design & publication: Shilo • Barkats Beit-El • Translation & editing: Miryam Blum & David Siegal

BNEI DAVID ELI BULLETIN | 1  arrived at these shores after the Rav Eli Sadan long and bitter exile. A mosaic of We, who follow the Torah of Jews of all persuasions, divided Moshe Rabbeinu and live our on essential and profound issues lives by the Written and Oral of cultural values, political Law, take it as axiomatic that ideals and national identity the State of Israel is the first – yet jointly committed to the flowering of our redemption. State of Israel. We know also that the promised Without question, times of road to redemption is hard and trial and tribulation await us. winding. Our sages spoke in We must prepare ourselves for Bnei David during Operation many places of wars and all crises and setbacks. Reality Protective Edge manner of afflictions, physical is complex, and the path and spiritual, that will befall us to redemption strewn with en route. These predictions are instability. But one thing is clear  Saturday night after all the forces coming true before our very eyes. beyond any doubt: the eternal into the tunnel, on orders from withdrew from the Gaza Strip, Even though they knew the people of Israel have reemerged Givati Brigade Commander a special evening was held at difficulties that lay in store, in all their glory. We remain Col. Ofer Winter (a Bnei David Bnei David for all our alumni who untold generations of Jews undeterred by the long road that graduate, Class of 1989), and were involved in the fighting. have longed and prayed to live lies ahead. We stride forward, heroically chased the terrorists The soldiers-on-leave spoke with to see this day. Our generation proud of our mission, restoring for hundreds of yards inside the the rabbis about their combat has been given the privilege of the life of our nation! tunnel. Items that Eitan retrieved experiences, the dilemmas and being the ones to witness the May G-d give you, dear from the tunnel enabled the halachic questions that arose in beginning of our redemption. soldiers, the strength to carry IDF Rabbinate to conclude that the field and the many miracles We are now active partners with through and prevail. Of Yosef Hadar had been killed, and to they saw. G-d in bringing this process, it is written: “G-d gave him make arrangements for a funeral. We would like to thank all the the redemption of Israel, to its success in everything he did.” completion. We give thanks to (Bereishit 39:3). May that Him for granting us this historic blessing be yours! In the name opportunity. of all Israel, I say to you: “Go However, we do not stand in peace and return in peace.” alone. The miracle known as You are in my thoughts the State of Israel came into constantly. I pray for all of being and continues to flourish you. through the combined efforts Love, of vast numbers of Jews who Eli Sadan Givati Brigade Commander Col. rabbis and communities who Winter fought with his soldiers in sent us assistance and donations the region, in the southern for the soldiers, and our friends Gaza Strip. Excerpts from the who helped the Givati Brigade letter of encouragement he to hold a respite day full of fun sent to his soldiers are included for the wives and children of the with this newsletter. Many of officers. our graduates are among the We hope that this campaign reservists who were called up to will end soon and quiet will help the standing army. On the return to this region. ❚

and soldiers of our unit, I ask  Col. Ofer Winter that what is written in the Torah “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our come true for us: “For it is G-d, the Lord is one.” Hashem, Hashem your God who is going the G-d of Israel: Please grant with you; He will fight for you our efforts success. We are against your enemies and He going out to battle for the sake will deliver you.” (Devarim 20:4) of your people Israel against an Amen! enemy who reviles your Name. United – the victory is ours. On behalf of all the troops of Col. Ofer Winter the IDF, and the commanders Commander, Givati Brigade

2 | BNEI DAVID ELI BULLETIN Lighter than eagles and stronger than lions Bnei David graduates who fell in Operation Protective Edge

Lt. Hadar Goldin, z”l – Captain Class of 2010 Zvi Kaplan, z”l – Hadar Goldin and his twin brother Class of 2005 attended Bnei David for two years. Prior to his studies here he was a Bnei Captain Zvika Akiva youth movement counselor Kaplan was born and in the IDF he completed an officer and raised in the training course at the top of his class. Neve Sha’anan In an interview to Arutz 7 newspaper neighborhood of Haifa and attended Bnei David following high at the end of the officers course, Hadar said that he viewed his school. Zvi joined the IDF’s Golani elite reconnaissance forces IDF service as paramount in his life. “Everyone should realize the and served in a number of command positions, the last of which importance of dedication and giving. Not specifically in combat was company commander in charge of operations. He was killed service, but more as a state of mind, carrying a stretcher together, during Operation Protective Edge, on 22 Tamuz, 5774 (20 July, devotion to others, love for one’s people – with tremendous love, 2014) in a fierce battle in the Sajaiya neighborhood of . a tremendous sense of mission and tremendous self-sacrifice. About a year ago Zvi completed his B.A. at Bar Ilan University, Lt. Hadar Goldin, commander of a Givati reconnaissance team, with excellence, in a program that combined his officer training was killed on 1 August, 2014, during combat in Rafah during and IDF service with academic studies. He was married and had Operation Protective Edge. On that Friday morning, shortly after two sons. the announcement of a humanitarian ceasefire, a hail of bullets His friend and classmate Naftali wrote the following after assaulted a group of soldiers searching for tunnels. A terrorist Zvi’s funeral: “Zvika my beloved friend, it is difficult for me to carrying a bomb exploded himself near the soldiers. Major summarize who you were in a few words. Today at your funeral Benaya Sarel, commander of the Givati reconnaissance company many people spoke about you, and each mentioned what you and First Lt. Liel Gidoni were killed on the spot, and when the were to each of them – son, father, husband, commander, friend. smoke cleared, Hadar Goldin was missing. Initially there were All of these joined together in one so-special person, a person fears he had been taken captive, but after about a day and a with a winning smile, genuine sincerity, belief in the path you half, based on items retrieved from the combat area by Lt. Eitan had chosen, and perhaps above all, aspirations for good and (a Bnei David graduate, Class of 2009), and in consultation with wholeness. In each and every moment of your life you gave your rabbis and medical personnel, the IDF announced Hadar had all to whatever you were doing, and never gave in. The rabbis tell been killed in action. us that when the righteous die, they are called ‘living’ because Hadar’s father eulogized his son: “Quite simply, Hadar was full we continue our lives along the path they showed us, a path that of happiness and joy. He found the way to see the bright side of does not end, but rather grows stronger.” every situation. He smiled at everyone he met. That’s why it’s so Adi, Zvi’s wife, eulogized him: “Zvika, my dear husband, hard to cry for him, to cry over him. Through our tears, we will all my wonderful home is you. In this house we grew and raised always remember his bright smile, which is the most important an amazing family – Elkana and Nadav, your wonderful sons first step in communication. This is what Hadar taught others, and whom you loved so much. There was nothing in the world there is nothing better than for us to continue in his footsteps.” more important to you than them. You gave them such a good Rabbi Pinhas Etzion, one of Hadar’s teachers at Bnei David, also education. People would say to me, ‘You are raising the children eulogized him: “Hadar! I swear to you – your soul will yet have a alone.’ And I would reply, ‘What are you talking about?’ Your great impact on others. Your noble soul will continue to appear presence in our home was so profound, even when you weren’t in thousands of Hadars, in millions of souls that are waiting to there. Your faith was so deep and your motivation so strong to hear your voice – tens of thousands of homes will yet be built return honor to the Jewish People. And your way, of standing like yours, and the life forces of Hadars will rise up and appear… strong every step of the journey, of uncompromising success, Our dear Hadar, you know what you were fighting for. Not for was passed on to your soldiers. Your soldiers admired you so quiet for the southern towns, not for an iron dome/yarmulke much, and I love them all. My dear Zvika, you were a man of truth, or some arrangement or another. You were fighting the battle humility and faith. A tremendous tzaddik. I will continue to follow for the dome/yarmulke of faith, the dome/yarmulke of heaven. in your footsteps, because this is the right way. My beloved, you The forces of purity against the forces of burrow dwellers and will be an advocate in heaven for the whole Jewish People. All cave diggers – who do not know sunlight – ‘Those who dwell in the angels are waiting for you with open arms. Rest in peace and darkness will be silenced, and considered as nothingness.’” serenity, and we will be fine.” ❚ Hadar is survived by his parents, an older sister and brother, his twin brother and his fiancée. Hadar was killed less than two months before his wedding day. ❚

BNEI DAVID ELI BULLETIN | 3 More power for Bnei David students

With the help of friends of Bnei David, we have begun distributing mobile phone travel chargers to Bnei David alumni serving in the IDF. Rabbi Yoel Rechel visits our soldiers in all the IDF units throughout the year, bringing them words of encouragement and a small gift of appreciation that will help them keep their phones charged and keep in touch. ❚

Mishna study cycle completed during the fighting A Bnei David alumnus who was called up on reserve duty for Operation Protective Edge came to Bnei David during a break in the fighting in order to hold a siyum celebration on his completion of studying the entire Mishna (Shas), which he has been reviewing for the past year. Learning Mishnayot on a regular basis is an important part of the studies at Bnei David. At the beginning of each year the mechina students receive Seder Moed, a main section of the Mishna, as a gift from one of our friends, in memory of his father, z”l, in the hope Mechina students that they will all complete a review of all six sections (63 tractates) of the Shas by their thirst for Torah induction date. Over the past year 30 mechina students completed a cycle of study. ❚

The Mechina program’s class of 2014 enjoyed their studies here so much that over 100 have chosen to defer their induction into the IDF and spend another year learning Torah in the Beit Midrash. The Mechina students celebrated the completion of the school year by crossing Lake Kinneret on hand-made kayaks. They dedicated their efforts to the memory of Eyal Yifrach H”YD. ❚

4 | BNEI DAVID ELI BULLETIN Visitors at Bnei David

The Chief Rabbi of Israel Minister Naftali Bennett Bnei David hosted Chief Rabbi David Lau shlit”a at the end of May, Minister of Economy Naftali Training Institute studies his shortly before Shavuot. Rabbi Lau delivered a shiur on to Bnei David’s Bennett, who heads the Jewish leadership as a model of military entire student body, on the importance of constant Torah study. ❚ Home party, visited Bnei David excellence to this day. ❚ in June, during the 18-day intensive search for the three Yeshiva students kidnapped Bnei David’s oldest benefactor (and subsequently murdered) by terrorists. Eyal Yifrach H”YD, one Bnei David is blessed of the three, had been a student with a wide circle of in Bnei David’s mechina program. friends and supporters Minister Bennett offered his across the globe. Our support and encouragement to oldest friend, Yitzhak the mechina students and staff. Arbel, recently celebrated He spoke movingly of his close his 100th birthday with friend Lt. Col. Emanuel Moreno a visit to Bnei David, the H”YD, an elite Matkal Commando place that embodies his and Bnei David graduate. Humble ideals, and in which he and modest, Lt. Col. Moreno was has invested so much. a giant of a man. The IDF Officers We wish him many more years of health and happiness. ❚ The Chief Rabbi of Britain

U.K. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis led a delegation of 50 British rabbis on a recent visit to Bnei David. After enjoying the atmosphere in the Batei Midrash, the delegation met with Rav Sadan, who expounded the Bnei David philosophy of faith in the practical world. Rav Sadan presented each of the rabbis with his booklet “Pathways for National Zionism,” and his books, “VaYehi Yadav Emunah” (His Hands Remained Steadfast), a compilation of his shiurim on current affairs over the years, and “Doleh Umashkeh,” (Teaching what one has Learned) in-depth analysis of issues discussed in the Talmud. ❚

BNEI DAVID ELI BULLETIN | 5 The Mechina Program launches 5775 school year in new dining hall

Jerusalem Day flag procession Our students spent Jerusalem Day, which marks the reunification of the city during the Six Day War, in the Holy City. Their day began with a tour of historic battle sites in Israel’s wars. In the afternoon they joined the traditional flag procession from the city center to the . Rav Sadan marched at the head of the Bnei David delegation. ❚ Bnei David Institutions continues to grow by leaps and bounds. The old Mechina Beit Midrash – the study hall for over 3000 Bnei David graduates, can no longer accommodate the Mechina program. The Mechina students will hold classes in the north wing of the dining hall building, while the Advanced Yeshiva classes, which had been using the dining hall, will move to the vacated old for the dining hall complex, including Mechina Beit Midrash until Chanukah, a new access road and parking lot. The when the construction of their new fundraising drive for the expansion and Beit Midrash is due to be completed. renovation of the Advanced Yeshiva Beit The Nehama family We recently finished the landscaping Midrash is in full swing. ❚ visits in Baltimore The Jewish community of Baltimore, Maryland is home to many of Bnei David’s supporters. Bnei David graduate Lt. Col. Hezi Nehama spent the past academic year studying at the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania. The Baltimore community invited Chezi, his wife and seven children for a Shabbat before their return to Israel. The Nehama family captivated their hosts with their accounts of the challenges faced by families of high ranking IDF officers. Hezi is continuing his career in the IDF as Givati Brigade Deputy Commander. Another Bnei David graduate, Col. Avi Bluth, will be on academic leave at the U.S. Army War College in the coming year. We wish both families much success. ❚

Israel USA Canada England Panama Bnei David- Eli, Bnei David-Eli C/O The Mizrachi Friends of Bnei David Friend of Bnei David The Military Yeshiva One Israel Fund, Organization of Canada 75 Maygrove Road Ezra Cohen Academy of Israel 445 Central Avenue st. 210 Israel Resident West Hampstead London Interplaza local 10, Eli D.N. Ephraim 4482800, Israel, Cedarhust, NY 11556, Committee Remittance, NW6 2EG Zona Libre, Colon [email protected] United States 296 Wilson Ave. Panama בני דוד עֵ לִ י www.bneidavid.org North York, ONT. M3H 1S8

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