Scrolls of Torah Honor Fallen Soldiers in Simchat Torah Observance

Two Israeli families are honoring their sons, who fell in Gaza, by commissioning new Torah scrolls. The scrolls will be dedicated in synagogues during the Simchat Torah holiday, which begins on October 2nd. This marks the first time two such scrolls, dedicated to fallen soldiers, will be incorporated into the traditional Simchat Torah "dancing with the Torah" ceremony.

The Voloch family, from the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Homa, lost their son, Captain Ido Voloch, who commanded a company of graduates from military yeshivas. His mother, Keren Voloch, stated that her son deeply respected religion. The "Menatzhim" association assisted the family in creating the scroll, which Keren described as a "moving event that united the family and the entire community." The scroll will be housed in the "Shmuel HaTzair" synagogue near the family's home, and Keren expressed her emotion at seeing her son's scroll join others during the holiday.

Senior Sergeant Natanel Pesach, who fell in Gaza in December 2024 while serving with the "Kfir" brigade, is also being memorialized with a Torah scroll. His family decided to donate the scroll to the settlement of Kramim, a mixed religious and secular community. His mother, Revital Pesach, described Natanel as dedicated, quiet, and action-oriented, always acting according to his values. She explained that they chose Kramim because it "connects" people, reflecting Natanel's own nature.

Yehuda Lantzkoron, founder of the "Menatzhim" association, has been involved in memorializing fallen heroes for the past three years and helped facilitate the creation of these scrolls.