Author Recounts Emotional Encounter With Soldier's Widow on Holiday

Author Hadassa Ben Ari shared a personal account on social media of a poignant encounter during the Sukkot holiday in Pardes Hanna. The story centers on a surprising meeting with Tal Amsalem, the widow of reserve Captain Avichai Amsalem, who fell in battle on October 7th. Ben Ari described how Tal arrived at her home with her daughters during a holiday meal, causing Ben Ari to freeze, feeling as though she would faint. Tal, recognizing Ben Ari's reaction, simply said, "You understood everything."

Tal Amsalem spoke candidly about the immense difficulty of observing the holiday during which her husband died in the battle of Kfar Aza. She explained her need for a coffee to ground herself before the fast ended. The two women decided to walk to the "Ha'Chama" synagogue, known for its lengthy dancing ceremonies, despite the late afternoon hour.

Upon arriving, Tal requested that the congregants sing for her and her daughters, to make them feel part of the holiday. The attendees responded by reopening the Ark and taking out the Torah scrolls. Ben Ari described dancing with a Torah scroll while Tal held her "living Torah scroll," one of her daughters. The community created a special "eighth dance" for the widow, a dance that did not officially exist, to offer her strength and connection.

Reserve Sergeant Major Avichai Amsalem served as a combatant in the 551 Commando Brigade. He joined the defense of southern communities on October 7th and fell in battle against terrorists near Sha'ar HaNegev on October 9, 2023, at the age of thirty. He grew up in Hadera and later lived with his wife in the "Telpiyot" youth village, where they provided a home for twelve at-risk girls. He was buried in the military cemetery in Hadera and is survived by his wife, parents, sisters, and three daughters, one of whom was born three months after his death.