Shapira, Rafael-Yedidya (“Rafi”)

Son of-Mordechai-Zvi Hacohen and Esther. He was born on February 10, 1907, in the city of Berezisko, Poland. A descendant of a privileged rabbinical family; His father was a rabbi and the head of a rabbinical court in Krakow. Raphael Yedidya immigrated to Israel in 1923. He completed his studies at the “Hamizrachi” seminary in Jerusalem and immediately began serving as a Haganah commander. Served as deputy commander of Haifa. After the War of Independence, he was appointed as an officer as a career soldier – starting with the rank of major and then with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He took an interest in the art of painting and reached for painting. However, the military terminology was his prime-interest and for many years he devoted himself to searching the Hebrew linguistic form in this area. He frequently inquired into the sources of Hebrew culture and drew on them in order to enrich the military language with new dialects and terms; He also contributed linguistic innovations in this area and translated from foreign languages. He headed the publishing house of military training literature, and in this capacity he composed and edited various instructional pamphlets. On the 26th of Sivan 5710 (7.6.1950) he died and was brought to eternal rest in the military cemetery in Haifa. He left behind a wife, a son and a daughter.