IDF Deputy Chief Yair Golan Attends Torah Classes in Memory of Fallen Son

Rabbi Moshe Beitan told Channel 7 that Yair Golan, the IDF Deputy Chief of Staff, participated for a period in weekly Torah lessons held in memory of his late son, Staff Sergeant Yuval Gad, a combat soldier in the Nahal Brigade. Rabbi Beitan, a former neighborhood rabbi in Holon and a student of Rabbi Haim Hirschensohn, clarified that Golan did not study one-on-one with him but joined a regular class on the Talmudic tractate Sanhedrin attended by soldiers. Golan would occasionally come with a group of soldiers and contribute comments during the sessions.

At the time of his son's death, Golan was the commander of the Nahal Brigade and has since supported the family, attending the weekly lessons from time to time. Rabbi Beitan expressed deep gratitude toward Golan, emphasizing that despite any criticism others might have, he personally cannot say a negative word about him due to Golan's steadfast support during the family's difficult period. This statement followed remarks by Rabbi Yaakov Medan in the Knesset, who noted that Golan studied Torah with him in memory of his son.

The lessons were conducted continuously for about a year to honor Yuval Gad's memory, reflecting the close bond between Golan, the soldiers, and the rabbinic community during that time.