Israeli Reservist Finds Torah Dedicated to Grandparents in Lebanon
A reservist soldier from the 55th Brigade, currently operating in southern Lebanon, shared a moving personal story that occurred during Shabbat. The soldier discovered that a Torah scroll brought to his unit was dedicated to the memory of his grandparents, Naftali and Asmari Ma'alimi. The reservist recounted that the Torah scroll arrived just an hour before Shabbat began, bringing a sense of holiness and light to their location amidst the ongoing operations.
The profound surprise came during the Torah reading. When called to the Torah, a fellow soldier pointed out an inscription on the scroll's decorative finials, known as 'rimonim'. Upon closer inspection, the soldier saw the engraved names 'Naftali and Asmari Ma'alimi', his grandparents. This unexpected encounter in the heart of Lebanon, a combat zone, deeply moved him.
He expressed that the discovery felt like a clear sign from his grandparents, particularly his grandfather, who was the rabbi of the Kurdish community in Jerusalem's Mamilla neighborhood, and his grandmother, a charitable woman. He felt their presence and protection guiding him through the war.
The Torah scroll remained with the reservist soldiers, who read from it on Shabbat Shuv (the Shabbat of Return) and are expected to have it with them for Yom Kippur. The soldier concluded by requesting prayers for himself, his fellow soldiers, and for everyone's safe return home, wishing for a good final judgment for the new year.
