*HERO STORIES:* In an act of unwavering bravery, brothers Noam and Yishai Slotki didn’t hesitate to respond when they learned of the tragedy on October 7th. Donning their uniforms, grabbing their firearms and first aid kits, they rushed to the scene to save lives. Near Kibbutz Alumim, they faced more than 10 Hamas terrorists, engaging them in a fierce firefight, although they tragically lost their lives. Their selfless sacrifice leaves a lasting legacy as they are remembered as heroes, leaving behind not only their loving wives but also young children.
🇮🇱 _Please share their story and honor the memory of the Slotki brothers, who laid down their lives for their country.
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This is an extraordinary story. This morning, 3 tank soldiers planted an orange tree in Kfar Azza, one of the communities that was devastated in the Hamas attack on Oct 7 – Simchat Torah. Why? Because these men were the brave first defenders of the Kibbutz and were part of the team who killed over 100 Hamas murderous terrorists. On that awful day they entered the Kibbutz in a tank, and they ran over a tree and destroyed it. They didn’t forget! Today, 3 weeks later, they returned to replant a new tree! (See the felled tree in the background.) Are we not a remarkable nation? A people who, in the middle of a war, stop to build and replant with such humanity and hope, can never be defeated! As the prophet Amos wrote: “They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them… They will plant gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them, says the Lord” Source Almog Boker (channel 13 ) on Twitter
I am a resident of Beitar.
Sadly, one of my sons, Yair, departed from the ways of the Torah.
Fortunately for me, Yair has a sharp mind and is also an honest person by nature, and unlike many of his friends, he does not deceive himself to blame me and our family members for his challenges.
He knows that his yetzer has trapped him in its net and he is having trouble overcoming it.
He respects his father and mother, he shares with us what he experiences, and at home he tries his best to avoid causing us pain.
On the eve of Sukkot, I asked Yair what his plans were for the holidays.
He answered me that on the first holiday he intends to be with us at home, while on Simchat Torah he is intending to be with friends in the south…
For some reason my heart revolted. Despite everything, Simchat Torah… a bad feeling also accompanied the thoughts.
A dull and heavy feeling that I didn’t know how to explain fairly.
I told Yair that I am asking him to do me a favor, I am begging you to stay with us at home also for the holiday of Simchat Torah
Yair was in no hurry to agree.
There is a big party, “something international, a nature party”, it’s not something you see every day… he easn’t ready to miss out on it.
I asked Yair what was there at this desirable party, and shamefully he explained that they bring a huge golden calf of avodah zoro, and dance around it after drinking for heavily, etc.
My stomach turned to hear about such a “plan” for Simchat Torah, but I conquered my feelings, and said: The Gemara says that whatever the Torah forbade, it also permitted its equivalent: it forbade eating blood but the eating of liver was permitted; forbade eating domestic animal cheilev (types of fats) but allowed non-domestic animals cheilev; Banned pork, but
permitted brain of shibuta, and so on.
Let us find a substitute for the forbidden pleasures you seek, and we find a way to do them in a permitted fadhion, here at home, the main thing is that you don’t need to go to the shocking party in the south…
Yair looked at me surprised, how exactly will he enjoy Simchat Torah in a permitted manner?
I told him this:
Here at the end of the street there is a large Chabad synagogue.
At Simchat Torah, alcohol flows there like water, people drink and dance to their hearts content.
You studied in Lithuanian yeshivas and grew up with the view that Chabad is idolatry, so here it is.
All together: unlimited dancing, alcohol like water, and idolatry… everything you wanted, and more…
It is my duty to clarify, I have nothing against Chabad, I just borrowed this phrase to convince Yair.
Yair heard the words, thought a little, and then informed me that he was willing to agree to exchange programs, but on the condition that he is allowed to host a friend at home, the same friend with whom he planned to travel to the party in Kibbutz Reim.
Do I have a choice? I gave my consent.
On Hoshana Rabbah in the afternoon the duo arrived, Yair together with his friend, Adam.
I invited them to the sukkah for a holiday meal, but I told them that before the meal they should bless the Lulav Even if they’re not so careful about it, but I’m careful about ninety omeins a day & I’m still missing some…
The two friends blessed the Lulov, and Adam also Shehechiyonu.
Then they beat the Hoshanos, and washed for a hearty meal with the blessing of “Leishev
BaSukkah”.
After they ate and drank, we turned to say goodbye to the Sukkah, drank good wine, and danced
around the table. The atmosphere was very pleasant, Adam held the Lulav in his hand and danced and danced…
After resting, I sent the duo to the Chabad Synagogue as agreed, where they fit in perfectly, and late at night they returned home to rest.
On the morning of Simchat Torah we woke up together with the entire House of Israel to the sound of the wailing sirens…
Adam is excited about the opportunity to turn on his phone, “it’s a danger to life!”
Several minutes passed Adam returned from the room, his appearance strange, his face changing colors.
Suddenly he jumped towards me and started hugging me, at first we thought that he had lost his mind.
The siren goes off and he decides it’s time to shower hugs and kisses.
But a Adam began to cry out in a choked voice:
The cursed party! Thank you! Thank you! You saved our lives!
Yair’s “honoring parents” saved my life and his life from terrible suffering and an unnatural death…
Today’s dancing already had a different character, it was no longer a matter of alcohol.
Adam also became the star of the evening at the Shul because he knew the news.
The next morning, Isru Chag, Adam asked to put on tefillin before saying goodbye to us.
But Yair declared: Father, whatever happens, I’m staying home!
