IDF Chief Shares Personal Story of Grandfather Inspired by Soldier's Battle Cry at Yerocham Hesder Yeshiva

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir visited the Yerocham Hesder Yeshiva on Tuesday, where he met with yeshiva leaders and representatives from the Hesder Yeshivot Association. During the visit, Zamir learned about ten students and alumni from the yeshiva who had fallen in the recent war and spoke with wounded soldiers who had returned from the battlefield.

While addressing the students in the study hall, Zamir was moved by a wounded soldier’s account of shouting "Shema Yisrael" just before losing consciousness. This prompted Zamir to share a personal story about his grandfather, Aharon, who immigrated from Yemen as a child, lived in Kiryat Yam, and fought with the Irgun and in Israel’s War of Independence. Zamir recounted how his grandfather was stabbed by an Egyptian soldier during a close combat battle at Negba, and just before losing consciousness, he cried out "Shema Yisrael" and managed to pull the knife from his wound.

Zamir said the soldier’s story reminded him of his grandfather’s experience, emphasizing the deep significance of the "Shema Yisrael" prayer as a source of faith even in the most difficult moments. He linked this personal and spiritual strength to the IDF’s power, stressing the importance of Torah study in strengthening soldiers’ spirit. Zamir told the students that the IDF’s strength is a combination of material capability and spiritual resilience, cultivated in places like the yeshiva, which produce leadership and strength for the people of Israel.