3 months ago

Miraculous Coincidence Leads to Emotional Tanya Printing for Fallen Soldiers

In an extraordinary turn of events, a chance encounter at a cemetery sparked an emotional journey that would lead to a profound tribute to fallen heroes. On the evening of January 17, in a remote Israeli military outpost, the families of two soldiers—one who sacrificed his life in battle and the other whose legacy of courage continues to inspire—gathered together for an awe-inspiring ceremony. There, in the same place where life and death collided, a special printing of the Tanya was dedicated • Full Story

On Wednesday morning, the 22nd of Tevet, a Chabad student named Aharon Friedman passed by the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem and stopped by to say a chapter of Tehillim at the grave of Aner Shapira, Hashem Yinkom Damo! Aner had heroically saved lives in a bomb shelter in the south on Simchat Torah morning when 27 people were inside, surrounded by terrorists who began throwing grenades into the shelter. Aner, standing at the entrance, courageously caught seven grenades with his hands and threw them outside, preventing explosions inside the shelter. Unfortunately, he was injured in the process and fell.

At Aner’s grave, Aharon met Eden Svisa, the bereaved brother of soldier Dekel Svisa, who is buried next to Aner. What began as a small question from Eden to Aharon about which chapter of Tehillim to recite turned into an emotional conversation lasting over an hour about Dekel’s bravery. On Simchat Torah morning, Dekel, commander of the Pega outpost—an IDF base on the Gaza border—was stationed with 34 soldiers at the base. The base was surrounded by 150 Hamas terrorists. After fierce fighting, during which several soldiers were killed, Dekel led 20 soldiers into a fortified dining hall while staying outside to fight alongside soldier Roi Perry, HY”D. Tragically, both Dekel and Roi fell during the battle, but the soldiers inside the dining hall were saved, and the base did not fall to Hamas.

Following their emotional discussion, Aharon suggested that Eden put on tefillin in honor of Dekel’s memory. Eden happily agreed, and Aharon, who had recently received a copy of the Tanya printed in Rafah, handed it to Eden to read. Aharon took a photo of Eden, donned in tefillin, as he read the Tanya.

A few hours later, Aharon decided to send the photo to Aryeh Amit, whom he had met a few weeks prior while recording a documentary podcast about the Tanya printings in Rafah. Aryeh had printed the Tanya in Rafah, and Aharon had received a copy from him, which he gave to Eden. When Aharon opened the conversation and sent Aryeh a message saying, “Hey,” Aryeh unexpectedly called him and opened the conversation by asking, “Hey, what’s up? There’s going to be a Tanya printing at the Pega outpost this Sunday. Do you want to come?”

Aharon was taken aback, clarified the name of the base, and, upon realizing it was the same base where Dekel had fought and fallen, shared the coincidence with Aryeh. Both were astounded. Aharon, at Aryeh’s request, called Eden to inform him that, by divine providence, the person who prints the Tanya was calling on the same day they met by Dekel’s grave. It turns out that on Sunday night, there would be a Tanya printing at the very base where Dekel had fought, and they would love for Eden and Dekel’s family to be a part of it. The edition would be called the “Dekel Edition.”

Eden was moved and surprised. He shared an emotional recording along with a photo of a Sefer Torah that had been left on the ground, bloodied by the terrorist who attempted to steal it on Simchat Torah morning. Dekel killed the terrorist, saving the Torah scroll. The IDF had prepared a special Mantel for the Torah, with an inscription describing the heroic rescue of the scroll. Eden added that the family had prepared a new, magnificent Mantel for the Torah, embroidered with the names of the 14 fallen soldiers, including Dekel. The Tanya printing that Sunday night would also serve as an opportunity to dedicate the new Mantel.

And so, on Sunday night, the 26th of Tevet, at the Pega base, Aryeh Amit—who had recently become the base commander—along with Dekel’s family and the family of Shlomo Baranes, may his memory be blessed, were joined by Rabbi Mendy Offen of the Or LeChayal organization and dozens of people who came to bring joy to the soldiers with food and treats. The event was accompanied by music from singer and pianist Zevulun Netanov and singer Mendy Levi. Dekel’s father and Shlomo’s father dressed the Torah in the new mantel, and they danced with the Torah among the crowd. This took place at the same base where, on Simchat Torah morning, the soldiers had fought off terrorists instead of dancing.

Afterward, a deeply moving Tanya printing ceremony took place in Dekel’s memory at the very location where he fought and fell, led by Dekel’s father.

The Tanya printing was organized and participated in by Aryeh Amit, Pega base commander, Rabbi Eliezer Morgenstern, Rabbi of Dgachan Golani, Rabbi Mendy Offen of Or LeChayal, Moshe Svisa, and other members of Dekel’s family, Shlomo Baranes’ family, Ayal Morduch, singer and pianist Zevulun Netanov, singer Mendy Levi, and Aharon Friedman.

A few days after the Tanya printing, plans for additional Tanya printings were set in motion. With the help of G-d, once funds are raised for the binding of the Dekel Edition, some printings are expected to take place in prisons and other military bases.

Another extraordinary Tanya printing was also decided upon: at the bomb shelter near Alumim, known as the “Death Shelter.” This was the same shelter where Aner Shapira, with self-sacrifice, threw grenades to save lives. A special Tanya edition will be printed in memory of Aner and all the other victims in that shelter.

The Rebbe taught that printing the Tanya anywhere is a “spiritual request,” and anyone who wishes to participate in the printing, binding, or dedication of the edition is invited to get in touch and be part of this holy endeavor.

For donations and dedications, you can contact via WhatsApp at: 0525526660.