Black Saturday
THE OCTOBER 7TH ATTACK
Amidst national turmoil and protests occurring in Israel throughout 2023, on October 6th Israelis danced joyously with Torah scrolls in synagogues across the country. The morning after, sirens shattered the tranquility of Simchat Torah, and our students were summoned by the army to prepare for duty.
Simchat Torah is a Jewish holiday that concludes Sukkot, a week-long festival honoring our journey in the wilderness, where we lived in temporary shelters, Sukkot. It’s a celebration of the annual cycle of Torah readings and marks the beginning of a new cycle, one that emphasizes the importance of the Torah in Jewish life.
That day, as a full-blown war erupted, our students courageously answered the call and have served on the frontlines with leadership and hope. Gradually, they departed from prayers until only a handful of elders and non-combatants remained at the Yeshiva.
Throughout the war, our students displayed valor on the frontlines, assuming leadership roles and spreading joy among their comrades even amidst the challenges in Gaza.
50-year-old Rabbi Nir Yaakov Mass, the Head of our Yeshiva, joined the fray, utilizing his specialized military training to lead convoys behind enemy lines in Gaza. During one mission, Rabbi Nir was wounded and airlifted to hospital. Despite his injuries, Rabbi Mass was bolstered by prayers, and miraculously healed and returned to Gaza, fulfilling critical combat missions.
Not all were so lucky. Tragically, our yeshiva lost two students, Lavi Gihassi of the Nahal Brigade, and Uriel Silverman of the 4th Tanks Reserves Brigade. Their memory is honored with Torah studies at the Yeshiva.
