Levi, Raphael

Raphael (Rafi), Ben Haviva and Yitzhak, was born on 15 April 1952 in Casablanca, Morocco, and immigrated to Israel with his family in May 1962 at the age of 10. In early May 1970 he was assigned to the Armored Corps. After basic training, he successfully completed a series of courses at the Armored Corps School that trained him as a tank driver and a lieutenant. After that, an armored battalion was stationed in the Sinai. He completed his regular army service in May 1973, and in his discharge certificate his commanders noted: “A good soldier, he did his job properly.” After his discharge, he worked alternately as a metalworker in Yifat, as a supervisor at the Haifa port and as a locksmith in Nahalal. In the summer of 1973, he got engaged to his girlfriend Ruthie. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, Rafi was in the synagogue, praying with his family. When the Arab attack on all fronts became known, he did not hesitate to wait for a summons, but got up and joined his unit, but was still careful to keep the fast. Together with his comrades in the unit, he was sent to the Suez Canal area where he took part in the braking battles against the Egyptians. On the fourth day of the war, on the 13th of Tishrei 5734 (October 9, 1973), his tank was hit in battle. The tank commander ordered all the crew to abandon him and move to the rescue tank. In the heavy fire that hit them when they abandoned the tank, Rafi was killed. For months he was absent and then declared missing until his body was returned by the Egyptians. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Migdal Haemek. Survived by his parents, four brothers and four sisters. After his fall, he was promoted to First Sergeant. His family commemorated the purchase of a new Torah scroll donated in his name.