Mother Recounts Son's Spiritual Strength and Sacrifice
Translated & summarized from Kikar HaShabbat by baba
Miriam Galam, mother of Captain Yochai Chaim Galam, who was killed in Gaza on August 28, 2024, shared her son's deep spirituality and devotion. Yochai, a soldier and father, was known for his commitment to Torah study and exemplary kindness, including caring for his disabled father and aiding a Jewish woman's conversion. He entered combat with a Gemara and expressed premonitions of his death. His mother recounted his heroic actions, his spiritual guidance to soldiers, and his desire for national unity.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Captain Yochai Chaim Galam, 32, was killed in Gaza on August 28, 2024, remembered for his spirituality and heroism.
- His mother, Miriam Galam, described his deep faith, exemplary kindness, and devotion to family.
- Yochai carried a Gemara into combat and inspired his soldiers with Torah teachings.
- He expressed premonitions of his death and had a poignant farewell with his wife.
- His mother advocated for national unity, urging Israelis to learn from the fallen's virtues.
- The IDF posthumously granted Yochai an honorary captain's rank after a family appeal.
Miriam Galam, mother of fallen IDF officer Captain Yochai Chaim Galam, shared profound insights into her son's life and character in an interview with Eli Gutfeld for the "Kidush Hashem" podcast. Captain Galam, 32, was killed in Gaza on August 28, 2024. Beyond his roles as a sniper, team commander, father of twin daughters, and husband, Yochai was described as a rare spiritual individual.
Miriam recounted Yochai's difficult birth, during which she promised to name him after Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai if he were born healthy. He grew into a young man of exceptional spiritual fortitude, building his faith independently. He adhered strictly to his mother's condition of not using his computer on Shabbat, which marked the beginning of his significant spiritual growth.
His devotion to his parents was exemplary. He once sent his mother a large bouquet of flowers to apologize for not being able to see her due to his reserve duty. Most notably, when his father became disabled after a stroke, Yochai, on leave from combat, personally cared for him, stating, "This is my father. Do you think I would leave him like this?"
On Simchat Torah, October 7, Yochai, while at synagogue, sought rabbinical permission to use his phone to mobilize his team. He entered combat carrying not only his weapon but also a Talmudic text, replacing ammunition with his Gemara. His soldiers described him as magnetic, inspiring them to religious observance. He also secretly aided a Jewish woman's conversion process and donated his reserve duty grants to support Torah scholars.
About a month before his death, Yochai expressed a premonition that he would not return. In a poignant farewell conversation with his wife, Shira, he summarized their life together. He returned to the front lines shortly after a brief family leave, and it was their last meeting. Miriam also experienced intense maternal anxiety in the week leading up to his death.
Following his death, Yochai appeared to his mother in a dream, comforting her and conveying specific instructions against commercial commemorations, instead emphasizing spiritual remembrance through Torah study and synagogue honors. However, memorial signs for him and other fallen soldiers were vandalized. After a struggle, the IDF posthumously granted Yochai an honorary captain's rank.
Miriam urged the Israeli public to unite, learn from the fallen's virtues of giving and respect, and cease political infighting, emphasizing that their sacrifices were for the nation's existence. She quoted Yochai's 2018 sentiment: "It is not a given that we are here. Be happy that we are here, because we have a good and beautiful land and we have no other land."