Naveh was a child who loved so many different things. In fact, he loved just about everything. Naveh loved his family. He loved that his mother Ofra would bless him each Friday night. He loved helping people. And he especially loved helping his family, even when he was very busy. Naveh loved Lod, the city where he lived. Naveh loved playing music, learning, and reading.
Naveh was a medic in Sayeret Matkal, an elite army unit. He came home to celebrate the festival of Simchat Torah with his family, and in the evening, he went on a “synagogue hop” with all his friends, as he did every year. The friends proceeded from one synagogue to another, and Naveh led everyone in joyous rounds of dancing, they drank a l’chayim (a small quantity of alcohol) and spread good cheer. When they finally finished visiting all the synagogues in the neighborhood, they each went home for the festive meal.
On the morning of Simchat Torah, sirens sounded in the city of Lod. Ofra woke up and ushered all her children into the ‘safe room’. Naveh also woke up and every time the family left the ‘safe room’, he went back to sleep in his bed.
Naveh received a message that war had broken out and he needed to join his unit. He jumped out of bed, put on his uniform, took the bag he had packed before Simchat Torah, said goodbye to his father, Noam, who had just returned from morning services, gave a loving hug to each member of the family, and got into the car. His mother, Ofrah, drove him to the meeting point where his commander waited for him. Together they went to Kibbutz Be’eri to try and save as many people as possible. Since Naveh was a medic, his commander wanted him to stay back and help the wounded who would arrive. But Naveh insisted on joining the soldiers who went to protect and save the residents of the kibbutz.
As he fought, he helped the soldiers who fought alongside him. He was doing what he loved – helping others and protecting his country. During the fighting, Naveh was injured and later died of his wounds.
Naveh was a person who did what he loved until the very end of his life.
Comentarios