Prayer Book's Olive Wood Cover Saves Medic From Jordanian Sniper Fire in 1948

A Jordanian sniper's bullet, aimed at the chest of medic Moshe Kamara during the 1948 battle for the Russian Monastery in Gush Etzion, was stopped by the olive wood cover of his prayer book. The artifact, created by the Bezalel art school, was recently entrusted to the Gush Etzion archive, 78 years after the incident.

Kamara, a fighter in Company B of the Machmas Battalion, arrived in Gush Etzion in late March 1948. His unit was stationed at the Russian Monastery, a strategic point overlooking the Jerusalem-Hebron road, which was the site of several battles. A comrade recalled Kamara running into heavy fire to treat the wounded, stuffing his pockets with bandages. Lacking space for his phylacteries and prayer book, he placed the latter in his shirt pocket. During one engagement, Kamara was hit, clutched his chest, and fell. His comrades believed he was killed, but he soon rose and continued fighting.

After the battle, it was discovered that the bullet had penetrated the prayer book's wooden cover and stopped within its final pages. Years later, Kamara's grandson learned of the event from his lecturer. Upon inquiry, Kamara's daughter discovered the bullet had lodged near the phrase "a king who causes death and gives life," with the word "death" completely perforated and blurred.

Kamara was among the few survivors of the final battle at the monastery and was taken prisoner, wounded. After a Jordanian soldier took his prayer book, Kamara risked his life to retrieve it, keeping it throughout his captivity and bringing it back to Israel. Moshe passed away 16 years ago, but his story and the prayer book that saved him continue to resonate with his family.

Recently, Kamara's children visited the Russian Monastery and the Gush Etzion archive, where they decided to deposit the unique artifact. "The prayer book returns to the place where its story is woven," the family stated. Archive director Dr. Shuki Sharir noted the story was received during the High Holy Days, symbolizing life and death and a message from Gush Etzion before the state's establishment. The director of the Kfar Etzion Field School praised the event as a testament to the bravery of Gush Etzion's defenders in 1948, adding historical and spiritual value to the region's heritage.