Shilo, Shaul

Shaul, son of Rachel and Abraham z “l, was born on 10 May 1940 in Tel Aviv. He completed his elementary studies at the “Carmel” School in Tel Aviv and then continued at Ironi Alef High School and completed his studies there. He was a good student but stubborn and independent, who chose to determine his own ways. His views were crystallized and independent of conventional frameworks. His independence and rebelliousness were evident even when he was a student. He learned with pleasure what he was interested in, and in the lessons that bored him he would take his bicycle and pedal by the sea. There he lay on the sand reading a book. He had always loved reading, and in every moment of leisure he would read a book, be it a historical book, a scientific book, a book in the field of fine literature or in the field of professional literature. He could read and read for long hours. His intellectual curiosity was insatiable, and he had a developed sense of criticism and always took an original opinion on everything. Shaul loved the land, its landscapes and sites. Already in his childhood he traveled extensively throughout the country and when he was in the army and spent many days in his role in the Negev and Sinai, his love for Israel grew. He wandered through the Negev, in remote places, under huge cliffs of rocks and a shadow of winding wadis, and all the pleasure, excitement and admiration of the wild landscape. From his youth he was a sports enthusiast and sincerely believed in the meaning of the phrase “a healthy mind in a healthy body.” He loved the sea; He loved to swim and dive in it, and when he was out of the water he ran on the beach and did a lot of exercise in order to stiffen his body. His body was solid and strong, and he even competed in wrestling and boxing. He often came home with bruises decorating his face. As a child he had arthritis and for a long time was under medical supervision. Shaul was drafted into the IDF in early August 1959 and volunteered for the Paratroopers Brigade. In one of his parachutes, he was injured. Then he decided to volunteer for the Sayeret and chose the “Shaked” reconnaissance unit. Life in this unit appealed to him very much, for he loved the great expanses, the mountains and the valleys, and the sense of freedom and primacy in the open landscape. He completed his compulsory army service, then went on to the infantry officers course and after two years of additional service, he received a study break, during which he married and established a home and family, and studied history and philosophy. On the 13th of Tishrei 5734 (9.10.1973), during the battles to conquer the “TV” outpost, Shaul was hit by a shell of the enemy’s shell and killed. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery on Mount Herzl. He left behind a wife, a daughter and a son, and a mother. After his death, he was awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel. His family published a pamphlet in his memory, including the words of his family and the commanders, friends and friends about his character, as well as some of the letters he wrote to his wife during his service.