Hezekiah, Naftali

Naftali (Hezki), son of Sarah and Raphael, was born on November 3, 1950, in Meshed in Persia, and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1951. The family settled in Bnei Brak, where he also began his studies at the Ma’alot elementary school. ” Afterward he continued his studies at Yeshivat Nechalim in Petah Tikva and at the Bnei Akiva Yeshiva in Netanya. Naftali was a sports enthusiast and a fan of soccer and basketball. He was an optimistic and cheerful boy. He was always Simcha and smiling, very naughty and energetic. He was naturally sociable and easy to make friends, and everyone recognized him as a man of patience, kindness, leniency and forgiveness. He was not arrogant, he hated condescension and loved simplicity. Naftali was drafted into the IDF in August 1968 and assigned to the Armored Corps, where he completed his basic training course at the Patton tank and the Patton tank commanders course. “A soldier who is dedicated to his job, efficient, disciplined and loyal, fulfills his duty to the satisfaction of his commanders.” After completing his regular service, he continued to study at the Graduate School of Management, but did not complete his studies. The Yom Kippur War brought his friend Alice to the wife, and he was a faithful son and devoted to his parents When the Yom Kippur War broke out, Naftali was drafted with his unit to the front in the Sinai and participated in the battles of containment and break-up against the Egyptians on October 16, 1973. In the battle to establish the bridgehead on the Suez Canal Central, Naftali was the first tank commander to break into the water line. A missile hit him directly and killed him. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery on Mount Herzl. He left behind a wife, father, mother, two brothers and two sisters. After his fall, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “His actions and his perseverance in this long war served us as a source of strength for us, his comrades, and he was loved and accepted by his comrades and commanders. At the “Ma’alot Kedoshim” kollel established in his memory, students learn to elevate his soul. In addition, a charity fund was established, bearing his name, and Tehillim; On the 5th of Tishrei 5736, the end of the writing of a Torah scroll was held in memory of the students of Yeshivat Nehalim, who fell in the wars of Israel, and Naphtali among them.