By COLlive reporter
When Ron Meir Benhayoun got the call to report for reservist duty at the Israel Defence Forces, he immediately texted his old teacher, Rabbi Yakov Garfinkel of Lubavitch Educational Center (LEC) in Florida.
“I’m going off to war,” he wrote.
“Come daven Shachris with us before you go,” replied back Rabbi Garfinkel, who is now principal of middle school.
That morning, Ron Meir joined the boys for davening after which he was presented with a chitas, a picture of the Rebbe, and a pair of tzitzis that were carefully crafted by the eighth-grade students—just one of the seventy-five pairs they made for IDF soldiers during their recesses, after learning the relevant halachos in class.
Rabbi Benzion Korf, LEC’s Head of School, blessed Ron Meir with the bracha of Yivarechecha. “The Rebbe told us many times that soldiers of the IDF are serving Hashem in the highest form possible because they put their lives on the line protecting am Yisrael,” he reminded the students.
“But we know that behind the physical army is the spiritual army that gives them strength and protection. That’s you. When you find it challenging to focus in class, remember that every word you learn is protecting Ron Meir and the soldiers in Eretz Yisroel.”
“We are davening for him every day,” Rabbi Garfinkel assured his mother, Morah Sara Benhayoun, a beloved long-time preschool teacher at LEC, who was present at the event.
Ron Meir thanked the boys for their thoughtful farewell. “Thank you for sending me off the first time I went to Eretz Yisroel to fight, and now the second time,” he said. “But there will be no third time because we will all soon be there with Moshiach.”
VIDEO:
With Rabbi Garfinkel, The LEC School is blessed with his able leadership and his incredible innovative programs!
The fact that a student after all these years, realized his need for Chizuk is proof!
May Hashem grant Rabbi G. with much Hatzlacha and Gezunt!
Chazak!