Zephaniah, son of Batya and Zelig, was born on November 22, 1949, in Nachlat Yehuda, Rishon LeZion, where he studied at the Remez elementary school in the eastern neighborhood of the city. At the Israeli College in Rehovot, where he was already an active student, a quick learner and full of original ideas. The father’s suffering left his mark on the child, who was worried about his father and became his mental support. The father would cheer him up whenever he did with his son, and when he was very worried, Tzfania would say, “Dad, you’re as healthy as an ox – stop worrying!” He was very active with the children, and was also a member of the Hanoar Haoved movement. He had a special sense of responsibility. One time the students emptied the air of a teacher’s car. When they called the teacher, everyone fled, and only Zefania, who was punished and punished, memorized many Bible chapters, completed his studies in radio engineering, was an avid electronics enthusiast and built radio and stereo systems with his own hands. “I have many memories of her. He was a genius in English, I remember everyone asking for his help in this profession. He had an outstanding talent for languages. Zefania was also a big mischievous man. Once, when the entrance to the choir was being tested, everyone tried to evade. Zefania did not shirk, just coughed so convincingly that the teacher decided it would be better without him. “His teacher told him:” Zefania remembers that he had a smiling, full face, his nose was wide and freckled, two lively eyes were running around as if thinking what a trick to do. As soon as he entered the classroom, I noticed that he would be “Simcha,” meaning that another clever ‘jewel’ joined us and that I had to be on guard. In the early days he was still isolated and embarrassed, but then the voices began to sound: “Teacher, tell Zephaniah, he pulled me a braid,” or, “Tell her, he pinched me.” Despite all this, I felt a special connection to him, and I received his antics with a smile. When he grew up, he matured in his soul and turned his mischievous instinct into the right channels. “The principal of the elementary school told him:” I remember Zephaniah when he entered my room with a smile on his face. He was neither afraid nor embarrassed. In time, I became a regular visitor. Once he came to me with two more. I asked each of them about the punishment he thought he deserved. Zefania in turn answered: “I – nothing,” and laughed. Thanks to him I forgave everyone. Zefania was very alert, clever, cheerful and very much loved by all his friends. “Zefania was drafted into the IDF in early May 1968 and assigned to the infantry. He asked to volunteer for the paratroopers, but his parents refused to serve in a combat unit because of his father’s injury. When they saw his will, they gave up their resistance and allowed him to join the paratroopers. During the course of his service, he underwent a rifle training course, a training course for infantry commanders and a paratroopers course, and all the hard training was conducted with a smile, and he used to say: “All are experiences.” At the graduation ceremony of the commanders’ course, In all the sketches and fillets presented. After the course, he continued his training as a sergeant and as a sergeant, then a carpenter. He was known as a tough commander, but he had a sense of justice and good spirit. He spent periods of operational service on lines, mainly in the Jordan Valley. In the company newsletter, he described the heavy pressure that had been given during the service in the Jordan Valley: explorations, ambushes, pursuits, and stretcher expeditions. He wrote about everything with humor and affection. To his parents, he hardly spoke about his passing in the army and always emphasized his self-confidence in the face of their concern. When the time came for his release from the regular service,A sharp death between his two loves: his girlfriend Leah and the paratroopers. Encouraged by his commanders, he wanted to volunteer for career army service, while Lea wanted him for herself. Finally he decided in favor of his future wife. When he completed compulsory service at the beginning of May 1971, the following words were posted on his release certificate: “An organized and exemplary soldier with leadership and control in every difficult situation.” After the liberation Zefania began to complete his matriculation exams, which he lacked to fulfill his dream: studying electronics engineering at the university. He successfully completed the exams and managed to study for two years at Oxford College in Tel Aviv. In September 1971 he married his girlfriend Leah and the young couple began to build their home in Rishon Letzion. After his fall, his son Zephaniah-Gilad was born. In the Yom Kippur War he served as a rifleman on the southern front. At the beginning of the war, his company was engaged in reconnaissance missions on the enemy’s rear. His company was among the first to cross the Suez Canal, and for three days carried out missions to capture and protect outposts. On the 22nd of Tishrei 5734 (18.10.1973), Motzaei Simchat Torah, the outpost was attacked by an Egyptian commando force. Zefania was the first to arrive at the post, and he operated the MAG at a dizzying pace, and after fifteen minutes the Egyptians retreated and left scores of casualties behind, and Zephaniah was hit by a bullet in the head and fell. He was laid to eternal rest in the Rishon Letzion cemetery.
