After a week of physical enjoyment, the delegation of ten wounded IDF soldiers visited the Ohel and 770 Friday as they opened their hearts and minds for some spiritual nourishment.
Hosted by Rabbi Uriel and Shevy Vigler of Chabad Israel Center of the Upper East Side, and accompanied by Rabbi Kutner from Chabad Terror Victims Project, the ten wounded soldiers arrived at the Ohel in anticipation of requesting blessings of health and success from the Rebbe.
As they prepared to go in inside the tent, Ben Shpitzer asked Rabbi Menachem Kutner if he could put on tefillin before he actually goes inside the ohel to pray. He explained that the last time he put on tefillin was just before he went into Gaza and was wounded and he felt that the tefillin had save his life.
“I felt as if I was struck with lightning when I heard these words,” said Rabbi Vigler. Here is a soldier who was severely wounded in Gaza. In fact the most badly wounded soldier in the battle. He lost one arm, the other paralyzed. He needs two full time aides to go about his daily functions and here he is saying that the tefillin saved his life.”
His father Ofer who is accompanying him on the trip saw Ben putting on tefillin then said, “even though I have never put on tefillin before in my life, if my son Ben is putting on tefillin then I would also like to,” and he then proceeded to put them on as well.
After the Ohel the soldiers had the opportunity to visit the Rebbe’s room. A place where Israeli heads of state and military and political factions once sat soaking in the Rebbe’s advice, the soldiers heard from Rabbi Kutner how the Rebbe had a special place in his heart for Metzyonei Tzahal and how his love for them knew no bounds.
As the soldiers left 770 one of them conferred to Rabbi Vigler how depressed he was a few months ago. “I was on the point of suicide – that’s how bad it was, until Rabbi Menachem Kutner offered him to come on this trip to Manhattan. This past week has been the happiest week of my life since I was injured. I truly feel this trip has given me a new breath of life.”
GREAT JOB MOTTY KEEP IT UP
This is truly an amazing thing!
well done Laima and the Viglers 🙂
These pictures made me almost cry!!!!
God should protect the Israeli soldiers!!
I had goosebumps reading this article SHEVY AND URIEL U GUYS R JUST INCREDIBLE!!!!
Wow! They are amazing! Thank you so much for protecting us and israel.
HASHEM WE NEED MOSHIACH NOW LOOK AT THE LOVE THE GLEEM IN THE SOLDIERS EYES WHEN THEY SAW HOW MUCH THE REBBE CARES FOR THEM, WHAT A SIGHT TO SEE THEM KISSING THE TEFILLIN, IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES.
I was moved to tears reading this story and seeing the pictures. Thank you so much for posting this story. How inspiring!
They, and all who need, should have health, inner strength, love, happiness and accomplishment beyond their expectations for the rest of their lives.
HEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!! NIIIIIIIIIIICEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May Hashem bless them and all with revealed good.
Hashem should give them alot of strength!
What a fabulous trip. and what a zechus
What an inspiration these soldiers are, and what an amazing trip they have been on! I am soon to be a mother of a Chayal, and I know that the Rebbe will be watching over him!
wow wow wow
what an incredible trip i have been watching closely!
They are selfless and just care about their country! Look how wounded they are!
hashem shuld bless all these israelis.