Reserve Officer Harel Birnstok Killed in South Lebanon Honored at Maale Adumim Yeshiva

The Hesder Yeshiva in Maale Adumim mourned the death of Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Harel Birnstok, who was killed during an operational activity in southern Lebanon. Birnstok, 34, from the settlement of Nokdim, served as a company commander in Battalion 2855 and left behind his wife Elia and four children. He worked as an engineer at Elbit Systems in the defense industry and repeatedly answered the call for reserve duty since the outbreak of the current war.

Birnstok was a graduate of the Maale Adumim Hesder Yeshiva, led by Rabbi Chaim Sabato, and was the third alumnus of the yeshiva to fall in the ongoing conflict, following Lt. Col. (res.) Yossi Hershkovitz and Staff Sergeant (res.) Israel Sokol. The yeshiva community struggled to absorb the tragic news.

Rabbi Eliav Plehimer, the yeshiva's educational director, eulogized Birnstok as a man of truth, leadership, and mission who dedicated his life to the people, the state, and his family. He described Birnstok as "a salt of the earth man with deep roots in the people of Israel, Torah, and the Land of Israel," combining a rare mix of playfulness, a smile, and profound inner depth. Plehimer emphasized Birnstok's honesty, leadership, and ability to offer constructive criticism without causing hurt, always strengthening those around him.

He added that Birnstok's presence was felt wherever he went, bringing positive energy and unwavering commitment to truth. Plehimer concluded by portraying Birnstok as emblematic of a remarkable generation of reservists who balance Torah, family, and work while selflessly bearing the responsibility for the nation's security. Birnstok lived a life of mission both in civilian life and the military, combining professional excellence with love for the land and people, always answering the call without hesitation.