The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a photo of him laying Tefillin and davening in his office in Jerusalem on Wednesday.
He has done so on Yom Hazikaron, the day of national remembrance in Israel to commemorate all the soldiers and people who lost their lives during the struggle to defend the holy land.
In a statement, Netanyahu wrote:
“On this Memorial Day, I have the honor of laying tefillin that belonged to an Israeli hero, Master Sergeant (Res.) Yossi Hershkowitz, of blessed memory.
“Yossi, a wonderful educator, was filled with a deep and genuine love for the people of Israel.
”The moment he was called to duty, he bid farewell to his devoted wife, Hadas, and to his children—Baari, Hillel, Tal, Shira, and Neta—in order to protect the home we all share.
”Even from inside the Gaza Strip, he sent uplifting videos to his family, his students, and the people of Israel.
“Yossi embodied a noble spirit alongside unwavering determination to defend our nation and our people.
“In one hand he held a weapon, and in the other, his violin.
“We will turn the sorrow of Yossi Hershkowitz’s fall—and that of all our heroes—into a melody: the melody of the strength of the Victory Generation.”
This is the second time that Netanyahu is photographed wearing Tefillin, with the assistance of Chabad Shliach Rabbi Or Ziv. He noted that Wednesday is Beis Iyar, the same day that Netanyahu met the Rebbe in his house on President Street in Crown Heights 37 years ago.
He wrote: “Exactly 37 years after his famous meeting with the Rebbe, who told him: “You will have to fight with 119 people—surely that won’t intimidate you!”
“I had the merit today to help Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put on tefillin.
“And all the peoples of the earth shall see that the name of G-d is called upon you, and they shall fear you.”
“In merit of the release of all our hostages, the elevation of our holy heroes’ souls, and the ultimate and complete redemption.”
VIDEO:
Tallis and tefilin That simbolize remembering
Bibi is the best!!!
We’ve come a long way, from the days in which Prime Ministers of Israel would conspicuously not mention Hashem Yisborakh, to a Prime Minister who regularly says “b’ezrat Hashem”, and who can put on tallis and tefillin (and daven a little bit too!). He (BN) openly shares with his audiences his gratitude for the profound influence the Rebbe had upon him, and for the extensive guidance and chizuk he received from the Rebbe.