Shalavim Yeshiva Head Recounts Personal Loss, Calls for Societal Unity

Rabbi Michael Yemer, the Rosh Yeshiva (head of yeshiva) of Shalavim, has shared deeply personal reflections on the most difficult day of his life: the day he had to eulogize three of his students who fell in battle during the current conflict. He described the profound grief and shock of delivering these eulogies, stating it was the hardest day he has ever experienced. The loss has given him a personal understanding of teachings he previously only imparted, about the gap between human perception and a larger, incomprehensible reality.

Yemer also spoke about the importance of bridging divides within Israeli society, expressing concern over current tensions. He proposed joint meetings between religious and secular communities before elections, emphasizing the need for dialogue and a sense of shared nationhood, even without agreement on all issues. He cited positive experiences, such as a gathering of diverse Israelis in Poland and a dialogue with left-leaning individuals at the yeshiva regarding the hostages, as examples of successful inter-group engagement.

The Rosh Yeshiva detailed the lives of the three students who fell: Shalom Menachem, Eliyahu Tzimbalist, and Yakir Levi. He recalled Shalom Menachem's resilience and concern for others, even amidst the hardships of combat, and his philosophical question about the relevance of personal comfort when serving the nation. Yemer described Eliyahu Tzimbalist as a selfless individual who performed acts of kindness, such as fixing a broken stand for an instructor and continuing his Torah studies diligently even in Gaza. Yakir Levi, he noted, was focused on strengthening the faith of his fellow soldiers.

In response to the loss of these students and other fallen soldiers from the same armored personnel carrier (APC), the yeshiva held a memorial not only for its own students but for all eight soldiers who perished. The event included the President of Israel and the dedication of a Torah scroll in their memory. Plans are also underway for a new study hall bearing their names.

Yemer also addressed the challenges of prolonged military reserve duty and maintaining motivation, stressing the need for an education that connects with a person's core values and sense of mission. He also discussed navigating religious challenges in the military, particularly regarding mixed-gender service, advocating for respectful dialogue with commanders and the military rabbinate to find solutions. He also reflected on his own upbringing, influenced by his father, a former president of Bar-Ilan University, and the importance of living a meaningful life that integrates Torah study with all aspects of existence, a principle he strives to instill in his students at Shalavim.