By COLlive reporter
The song “It Happened Yom Kippur” which is sung at Chabad overnight camps around the world and even on Shabbos tables was written by Rabbi Gershon Sabol OBM who passed away on Sunday at the age of 64.
This song tells the story of a young Israeli soldier in need of special protection as he prepares to go into battle at the start of the Yom Kippur War. Rabbi Sabol, who headed organizations that assisted children with special needs, wrote the song as a color-war song for his team.
LYRICS:
It happened Yom Kippur as they were praying,
A truck pulled up and the sergeants were saying,
War has broke out we need all our men,
To serve Lema’an Hashem.
Young Mottel turned around to his father beside him,
Father advise me before I go fight them,
Give me a Brocha I should have Hatzlocho,
And let’s hope we’ll meet again.
Oh Mottel my son, do not be dejected,
We have a Mezuzah you’ll be protected,
Set aside time during each day,
To study the Torah and pray.
Speak to our soldiers who will be with you,
Teach them B’chal D’rachecha De’eihu,
Hashem Yishmor Tzeischa, safe and secure,
Until you’ll be with us once more.
VIDEO: Sung by Mayer Rivkin and his son
Gershon wrote the tune, the words, or both?
The tune is from JEP
https://jewishmusic.fm/album/jep-i-reach-out/
song #10
At the foot of the kossel
I know Gershon since I am 7 years old, his attitude, devotion sense of humour compassion wit and charm are a real example of what a chosid is and what every human being should aspire to . My heart goes out to his family and especially to his long time friend and confidant Baruch Bendit B and his wife Bracha , we are all fortunate to have had Gershon in our lives.. Hamokom Yrachem eschem!!
A very powerful song.
It gets sung in our home almost every Shabbos
Arichas Yomim to his family.
wow, very emotional, may his neshama have an aliya, and beseech the Aibershter to take us out of golus NOW!!!
what year of camp? and which camp did he write it by?
Gan Yisroel Montreal color war 1974
I believe 80-81
The teams were shaar and bayis. This was the song for bayis. I was the general for shaar and my last year in camp was 1974.
Gan Yisroel MONTREAL summer 1974. The summer after the Yom Kippur war.
Song was written probably Summer of 1974
Kudos to Rabbi and yblc”t, Rebbetzin Hecht, for having such a great influence on him!
Hamakom yenachem eschem besoch shaar aveilei Tzion, to his wife and beautiful family.
Gershon-Oy what has happened.
Hashem Yerachem.
You were the sweetest of the sweetest. Your smile and gehffeel for another Yid was ain lishaier…
Terrible ..Daloi galus…No words to convey our Tzaar.
Cousin Sruly
WHICH YEAR WAS HE IN TORONTO DAY CAMP?
1980?
he was never in Toronto day camp his brother was
And he wrote the song in 1974
And he wrote the words only
Young Mottel in the song was best Head counselor Motty Berger Ah
Right now they are both preparing for Tchoas Hameisim. Keheref Ayin.
I remember the Sabol family while they lived in Montreal.
Amazing wife and children.
May you be comforted and know of no sorrow.