Capt. (res.) Ziv Shilon, an officer in the Givati Brigade who lost his left hand in an IED explosion on the Gaza Strip border during Operation Cast Lead 15 years ago, brought a Torah scroll into a synagogue in Savyon - and held the scroll up high.
This happened during the introduction of the Torah scroll into the Chabad synagogue in the town, where Shilon prays every Shabbat. Shilon's acquaintances from the army and the Israeli public flocked to the place, including former Mossad head Yossi Cohen.
After the letters were finished, the climax of the book's elevation arrived: Ziv Shilon, who had since been injured and had his hand repaired, proved to the world his abilities, including in sports competitions - decided to be the one to raise the book.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
And so, to the sound of applause and cheers from the participants, Shilon managed to pick up the book, excited by the success of the operation.
""The excitement wasn't just Ziv's, but all of us," said synagogue rabbi and Chabad emissary Rabbi Shmuel Bistritzky, "Ziv's entire amazing story and in particular his miraculous recovery - this is our great revenge, as a people, on our enemy. Seeing Ziv pick up the Torah scroll, despite his disability, was incredibly moving. Ziv has been uniting the people for many years, and this time it happened together with the Torah scroll that has united the entire people for thousands of years.".
At the bar mitzvah, Shilon spoke about the great privilege of bringing a Torah scroll and asked the audience not to get carried away by the social rift. "The war is something temporary," said Shilon. "Despite the difficult days, the people of Israel need to know that we will emerge from the war stronger and more united.".
Shilon turned to his father and said: "When I saw Dad walking to write the letter, with the walker, it gave me so much strength. Thanks to you, we are the children we are. Dad, we love you. You are a dear man with a heart, all your life you taught us to give to others and then to give to ourselves. Both you and Mom. And thanks to you we are like this. Thanks to you, with every person we meet on the street, we know how to get along. Everything came from you and Mom. I love you with true love.".
[gallery]
Shilon was injured when an IDF force moving along the border fence spotted a suspicious bomb near one of the gates in the fence. Captain Shilon, a company commander, 24 years old at the time of the incident, was fatally injured after the bomb was activated by remote control, exploded, and severed his hand.
During his speech at the introduction of the Torah scroll, Shilon described his personal story and the moments when the fingers of his right hand began to move, after a prayer he offered at the grave of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, some time after his injury.
Since his recovery, Ziv has begun extensive social activity and initiated many social projects.
