I1: Fallen Soldiers

Issue Navigation:

Soldier 4:

What I saw in the last days of my life... What I only saw...
I had a dream which, after 1948, was to haunt more than one
Jewish fighter: to recapture what was once the capital of the
ancient Kingdom of Israel and reunite it with her people.

For twenty years, always and everywhere, I was preparing myself for that certain battle. You see, in 1948 when the Old City fell to the Jordanians, I was posted in the Negev. And I promised myself: next time, at the first opportunity, I would be there to recapture it. I knew it would happen. I even remember joking with a friend, 'Stick with me and I guarantee you'll see the Western wall before anyone else.' I did meet him in the Temple court in front of the Wall and he reminded me of my promise. I hadn't forgotten. Somehow I always knew.

The battle for Jerusalem was military operation but it felt like Jewish destiny. We were fulfilling the words of the prophets. We were coming home to our capital. When I arrived at the wall, and the area was secure, I just stood still. Not a movement. I could think of no action to express my feelings. I just stood there and let the event swallow me.

General Moshe Dayan arrived later on to say his prayers and give thanks. As he left, I remember someone asking him how he felt. 'We deserve this city!' he replied. And then I could speak: "Thank God, thank you God. You are truly the God of the World. Your kingdom is infinite, Thank you for this day." Never had prayer been so natural.

As I looked around, other VIPs showed up, but it was the regular soldiers, my contemporaries who moved me. Tired, wounded, they patiently walked up to the Wall. They stood there, weeping with emotion or bright eyed and unsmiling, their faces stiff with the tension of the day. It was a disturbing experience. I felt the love our people have for this old place. On that day, no one left the Old City the same as when they had arrived.

And yet the battle continued. I was moved up to the Syrian front. 5am Friday morning, the 6th day of the war I was in position. The orders were simple: draw the Syrian armour into battle, seize and hold the Golan Heights and destroy the artillery positions that had harassed our country for years. There were mines everywhere. One exploded in my face two hours before Shabbat. By the next morning the war was over.

In the last five days of my life I saw miracles. I lived to see Jerusalem in our hands. So powerful, so wonderful. My life was part of something special and I thank God for that. I rest here happy with my achievements. Like every soldier, I did not want to die, but I died defending what I loved. My home, my people, in My God's Name.

Living spokesperson All those thoughts, different ideas, layers of emotion, each one with such strength. There is so much to these soldiers.

Soldier 3: (now standing)

Us and thousands more

(Soldiers 1 & 2 stand up by 3 & 4, facing the audience)

Soldier 3

When you began, you said it would take a day to recite all our names. You must see now that each one of us is not just a name, not just a title. Each was a life. A life filled with thought, passions, hates and loves. You may find it hard to identify with some of us, you may not understand some of us and you may very well disagree with some of us. But this day is our day. So please accept us for whoever we were and respect us for what we did for Israel.

Living spokesperson I understand, thank you. (to audience) There are all kinds of soldiers, with all different religious beliefs and with different politics. (turns to soldiers) But you all died in service of the State of Israel. We value you. You died al kiddush Hashem, for the Jewish people. Your resting place is in the shade of the Divine wings, close to God.

Through listening to you, your memories will be with us always.

(audience are asked to leave. Soldiers remain motionless until all have departed)

Next Page