When discussing those who are exempt from battle, the Mishnah in Sotah states: Bameh Devarim
Amurim? What case are we dealing with, with respect to these exempAons? Bemilchamot hareshut, We
are dealing with non-obligatory wars. Aval bemilchamot mitzvah, but with respect to an obligatory war
(for example where the enemy is attacking), hakol yots’in, afilu chatan meichedro v’calah meichupatah..
all go out even a groom from his chamber and a bride from her canopy
Last year, on this day, shemini Atzeret/simchat torah (in Israel), my nephew, Yonadav Raz Levenstein, while
sittng in shul with his grandfather, exactly one month after standing under the Chuppah with his wife
Hadar, was met by his friends at shul and together they went south to defend, those who were viciously
being attacked.
During the first couple of days he fought at one of the Kibbutzes (Nachal Oz), where he and his fellow
soldiers killed the attacking terrorists and saved many lives.
One month later, during the first week of the ground assault, he was murdered by terrorists who were
hiding in the extensive underground network of tunnels that they had built.He was in the Sayeret Givati,
the prestigious Givati reconnaissance brigade, and, as such was at the very forefront of the ground assault.
This was two months aQer his wedding. It was also one month before his scheduled release from the army.
At his funeral, his colonel saluted him for his bravery and his exemplary performance in battle.
Yonadav was the youngest of 6 children. His parents both made Aliyah from Canada. His mother, Leora,
came to Israel with her family from Montreal while she was sAll in school. His father, Michael, who many
of you remember, made Aliyah not long after finishing med school.
At 6’5’’, and with a big bushy red beard, Yonadav really stood out in a crowd. Besides his distinct
appearance, he was also known for his musical talents, breadth of knowledge and deep insights. As his
brother Elnatan said at Yonadav’s funeral, “there wasn’t a book you haven’t read or an instrument that
you couldn’t play”. He could relate to anyone, and his fellow soldiers and friends would often go to him for
advice. He was also an avid sports enthusiast and was an accomplished basketball player.
His keen interest in history in general, and the history of the land of Israel in parAcular led him to work at
the City of David excavaAons between high school and the army. It was at the excavaAons that he met his
wife Hadar. He worked at the excavations until the time of his father’s death from cancer in 2020, and
then he entered the army.
His mother Leora described him as a child who was “sweet and funny, but had a mischievous side”. She
also recalled his teachers who visited the Shiva and spoke of his deep understanding of history and how
his curiosity led him to having a strong desire to learn.
While he was down south fighting, he sent messages home conveying the message that he’s ok and there’s
nothing to worry about. He was more concerned about his family than anything else. Just several days
before his death, a local news agency visited his base. He took the microphone, and with a grin said, “give
me the siman, the sign” and then began his message: “I am Yonadav Levenstein from Yerushalayim. I want
to say hi, lemsor dash, to my wife Hadar, I love you very much”.
Yonadav and Hadar were married 3 months before his scheduled release from the army and had planned
to travel the world, with the first stop being here in Canada. Tragically, their plans didn’t materialize.
Yonadav was an outstanding person in every sense of the word. I have no doubt that my father, Larry
Levenstein, who was very devoted to this shul, and my brother, Michael are extremely proud of Yonadav
and all his accomplishments during his too short life. They are, I have no doubt, in shamayim now: talking,
discussing, philosophizing, each with their unique perspective.
The last time I saw Yonadav was about a month before his wedding. We were in the Ayalon-Canada Park,
the section dedicated to the memory of his father Michael. I took a picture of him with his baby nephew,
Mordechai. Yonadav, the larger than life figure, with his distinct red beard, gently holding his little baby
nephew who was asleep in his arms.
On behalf of the Levenstein family, we are honoured to have Shaarei Shomayim eternalize Yonadav’s
memory with this beauAful torah cover. We would like to express our sincere thanks to all of you who
contributed towards the cover.
Our family roots run deep here: both my maternal and paternal grandparents were members at Shaarei
Shamayim from the 1940’s for around 50 years. They too, I’m sure, are extremely proud to have a great
grandson like Yonadav.
We’ve had weddings, bar and bat mitvahs and other smachot here. My parents were married at Shaarei
Shomayim in 1957 and is also where they met.
On the torah cover it quotes Kohelet, eit sefod ve’eit rekod, a time to eulogize and a time to dance. Here,
we’ve danced at weddings and smachot, but today I recall my heroic nephew’s bravery, and give a very
brief account of his life, which he sacrificed for klal Yisrael, the people of Israel, for which we should all be
eternally grateful.
May the future be filled with eit rekod only.
