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This past Monday, dozens of talmidim and guests gathered at the Chabad Yeshivah in Mitzpe Yitzhar for the second annual “Day of Light” program, dedicated to the memory of Sgt. Shneur Zalman Cohen HY”D, whose birthday falls on 15 Sivan.

A graduate of the yeshivah, Shneur Zalman was known for combining excellence as a combat soldier with an exceptional dedication to halachah and mitzvos, particularly in the areas of kashrus and tzitzis. Serving in the Tomer Battalion of the Givati Brigade, he became known among his fellow soldiers not only as a reliable and professional fighter, but as someone who brought Yiddishkeit into even the most challenging wartime environments.

This year’s program focused on the topic of kashrus.

The event was opened by Rosh Yeshivah Rabbi Yitzchak Sandroi, who spoke about his personal connection with Shneur and shared memories from his years as a talmid in the yeshivah.

Following him, Rabbi Dovid Dudkevitch, Rav of Yitzhar, delivered a shiur addressing the importance of maintaining proper kashrus standards, particularly when away from home. He emphasized the significance of reliable hashgachah and the responsibility of every observant Jew to remain vigilant regarding kashrus wherever they may be.

Rabbi Yossi Kleiman, the Rebbe’s shliach to Na’aleh in western Binyamin and a former mashgiach in Japan and Chicago, connected practical halachah with the Rebbe’s vision of Mivtza Kashrus. He spoke about the campaign’s central role in strengthening Jewish observance and preparing the world for the coming of Moshiach.

Later, Rabbi Shimon Veitzhandler led an in-depth study of a sichah of the Rebbe on Seudas Moshiach and the concepts of the Shor Habor and Livyasan.

Following Maariv, participants joined a special farbrengen with Rabbi Weichentaler and Rabbi Yechezkel Noema, who discussed examples of mesirus nefesh for kashrus during military service in wartime.

Several soldiers who served alongside Shneur shared personal recollections highlighting his extraordinary dedication.

Menachem Maimoni, a commander during training, recalled how seriously Shneur approached kashrus.

“Whenever donations arrived, Shneur would immediately investigate the kashrus standards of the food. If meat was brought in, he wanted to know exactly what certification it had. If it was produce, he checked where it came from and what supervision it carried. During one deployment, we were stationed far from base for three weeks, and Shneur did not eat meat at all because he could not verify its kashrus. He lived on bread, cheese, spreads, and vegetables. I would often find myself calling rabbanim to clarify where food had come from because otherwise Shneur simply would not allow it.”

He also remembered an incident involving a toaster in the field.

“One of the soldiers wanted to heat something up, and Shneur immediately stopped him and asked whether anyone knew if the toaster had been used for meat or dairy. You could say he became the kashrus supervisor of the entire company.”

Another moving story was shared by fellow soldier Meir Buskila, who served with Shneur during operations in Deir al-Balah, Gaza.

Following a difficult mission, the unit entered a secured building to rest.

“Everyone was exhausted and looking forward to putting down their gear and getting something to eat,” Buskila recalled. “But Shneur wasn’t thinking about himself. He told me that soon the soldiers would want to cook, and they couldn’t do that in a non-kosher kitchen. We worked together to kasher the kitchen, and only afterward did he tell the others, ‘The kitchen is kosher now—you can cook.’ Even after a demanding operation, he was thinking about everyone else and making sure they could have kosher food.”

The program left a deep impression on participants, who drew inspiration from the life and example of a young Chossid whose commitment to Torah and mitzvos remained steadfast under the most challenging circumstances. Through the day’s learning and farbrengen, the talmidim honored his memory by strengthening themselves in the very areas that were so dear to him.

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