Israeli Family Honors Fallen Soldier with Torah Scroll Completed by His Infant Son
In Migdal HaEmek, members of a local Torah study group prayed inside a temporary tent while awaiting a permanent synagogue building. Meanwhile, the family of Captain Shahar Netanel Bozaglo, who was killed in action, prepared to dedicate a special Torah scroll written in his memory. Originally planned for the Hebrew month of Adar, the ceremony was repeatedly postponed due to ongoing conflict in the region.
This week, the long-awaited event took place with a powerful procession starting from the home of Shahar's mother, Osnat Zohar Ben David. Hundreds of family members, friends, local residents, and armored corps soldiers marched, singing and shedding tears as they escorted the Torah scroll to the new permanent synagogue named "Ayelet HaShahar" in Shahar's honor. The ceremony included blessings from Migdal HaEmek's chief rabbi, Rabbi David Grossman, and the city mayor, Yaki Ben Haim, who praised the transformation from a temporary tent to a unified, magnificent structure.
The most emotional moment came during the final letters' writing of the Torah scroll when Shahar's four-month-old son, Ivri, placed his tiny hand on the ink quill to complete a letter dedicated to him. Shahar had fallen in battle when his wife Adi was in early pregnancy, and Ivri was born months later into the family's grief. The Torah scroll features two short texts engraved on its crown, written by Shahar himself, reflecting his worldview, deep faith in education and values, and love for his people and country.
The Torah was first read on the Sabbath of the "Pinchas" portion, the same portion Shahar read at his bar mitzvah. Shahar, 27, was a distinguished armored corps officer who chose combat service despite eligibility for intelligence unit 8200. He fought for four days in the Gaza vicinity starting October 7, driven by a personal call to defend his homeland. Three weeks before his death, he was appointed platoon commander of Battalion 77 in Brigade 7 and developed a mental resilience program for soldiers, earning him the title of outstanding armored corps officer. He was killed in Gaza on September 22, 2025, just days before a ceasefire agreement.
Shahar left behind numerous writings on Jewish identity and the need for genuine dialogue within Israeli society. His legacy lives on through the synagogue and the next generation. Four babies in the extended family and close friends have been named after him, symbolizing the enduring impact of his values. Osnat, Shahar's mother, actively participates in the "Tzav HaChaim" forum, which unites bereaved families and former captives in Israel, emphasizing the importance of Jewish identity and internal unity for national resilience.
