Elya, Meir
Son of Hatato and Ziana. He was born on Monday, 21.7.1955, in Safed, as a son of religiously observant parents who immigrated from Tunisia and spent eight years studying at the religious school of Birv in Safed, where he was sent to Midreshet Noam, the high school yeshiva in Pardes But Meir did not adapt to the life of the boarding school, missed his parents’ home, and after one year returned to Safed, he entered the high school in the city and chose the real track, and Meir completed his studies successfully, He remained faithful to the tradition of his forefathers, preserved the sanctity of Shabbat and other mitzvot, and the commandment of honoring a father and mother was always a guiding light for him, and he also respected and loved his grandparents and other members of his family. In mid-November 1973, at the height of the Yom Kippur War, Meir was drafted into the IDF. He was assigned to the Artillery Corps. He went through basic training without complaining and only wrote letters full of longing for home. And then the series of professional courses began with field-level shooting – in the field of positioning – and Meir successfully met them. Rose to the rank of Terash, and two weeks later to the rank of corporal. He played the role of a surveyor, and then a commander of a surveyor squad. When he reached the level of high proficiency in the profession, he began to serve as a guide in the course for moderators. Meir was revealed to his commanders and friends as a devoted and responsible soldier who did more than expected. Everything he was assigned was done with precision and perfection. Meir’s promising path was abruptly interrupted when he devoured his life on his way to carrying out a task in his field of expertise. He fell in the performance of his duties on the 27th of Kislev 5736 (27.11.1975), and was put to rest in the military section of the cemetery in Safed. Survived by his parents, four sisters and a brother. After his fall, Meir was promoted to the rank of sergeant. Meir’s great appreciation of the army was reflected in the words of his commander in the unit to the bereaved parents: “Meir was a kind man who kept the tradition of Israel and his religion very carefully. Was very popular among the soldiers, and was very popular among the officers and the commander in the battalion. Throughout the service, he discovered initiative in his job and his job, aspired to progress professionally and to advance in terms of his duties. He served as a model for many soldiers in the battalion both in terms of his conduct, both in terms of dedication and approach to his position, and in terms of his ability to fulfill any role. son of Yakar, a good friend and a very dedicated soldier, we were lost in the battalion. “
