Rabbi Gideon Benjamin Reflects on Grandson's Death, 28 Years of Rabbinate, and Police Inquiry

Rabbi Gideon Benjamin spoke on the Channel 7 podcast about the enduring grief for his grandson, Shuval Ben Natan, who fell in Lebanon nearly two years ago. He described how the sense of loss only intensifies over time. Shuval, a combat soldier, was killed on Hoshana Rabbah during fighting in Jabal Blat, a strategic hill overlooking the border area. He was leading his unit when he identified and reported a tunnel shaft, which turned out to be booby-trapped, killing him and three other soldiers, and wounding six. Rabbi Benjamin shared that his grandson, known for his joy and humor, had a deep faith that became more apparent after his death, with friends recounting how he inspired them to return to religious observance. Shuval had been determined to serve in the army, even struggling for his enlistment. The news of his death reached the family on Simchat Torah, a stark transition from celebration to tragedy. The family continues to honor Shuval's memory through prayer, Torah study, and music, with his father releasing a melody in his honor and a house established in Shuval's name hosting study sessions. The family feels a responsibility to complete the mission for which Shuval fought.

The conversation then shifted to Rabbi Benjamin's 28 years as the rabbi of Nof Ayalon. He explained that his rabbinical career was not initially planned, but a conversation with Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, who suggested a test of the community's commitment, led him to accept the role. Rabbi Benjamin emphasized that a community rabbi's work extends beyond sermons and halachic rulings, involving deep personal connections and addressing complex life dilemmas. He recalled advising a communications company employee against offering clients unfavorable packages, even at the risk of her job. He also spoke about the challenges faced by the community during the abduction and murder of three teenagers, which raised difficult faith questions for the youth. Currently, Rabbi Benjamin heads the arbitration kollel at Yeshivat Shalvim, aiming to train scholars for rabbinical and judicial roles. He also addresses contemporary halachic questions arising from his sons' work in farming and settlement, involving issues like Shabbat observance in agricultural settings and security concerns. Rabbi Benjamin also recounted a police inquiry he faced for signing a letter against selling or renting homes to Arabs, which he considered a political investigation and refused to answer substantive questions about.

Throughout his career, Rabbi Benjamin consistently consulted with other rabbis, particularly Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, on complex issues. He concluded by reflecting on the human aspect of rabbinate, collecting stories and anecdotes, humorously noting his wife's suggested title for a potential book of these experiences: "A Bestseller."