A Talisman in Battle: A Tzitzit Saved My Life

"At nine in the morning, Tzvi Feldman's tank was struck, and its occupants were taken captive," begins Rabbi David Tourgeman in a special interview following the return of IDF soldier Tzvi Feldman's body to Israel. Feldman had fallen in the Battle of Sultan Yacoub during the First Lebanon War, 43 years ago. He had been considered missing for decades until last month, with the collaboration of Mossad and the IDF, his body was smuggled back from a graveyard in Syria. Rabbi Tourgeman fought alongside Tzvi in his last battle, and Tzvi remains vivid in his memory despite the years that have passed.

"Tzvi Was a Man of Noble Character"

Rabbi Tourgeman, founder and head of the hesder yeshiva in Dimona, also established the high school yeshiva and girls' ulpana in the city, leading them for many years. Additionally, he serves as acting city rabbi. For Rabbi Tourgeman, the current war and the self-sacrifice it brings to mind another war, over forty years ago. "When the First Lebanon War began, we were rushed north," he recalls. "I remember the line in the Talmud that I left at the yeshiva." The battle, where he narrowly escaped death, occurred five days later. "My battalion was tasked with reaching the road to Damascus. The intelligence report indicated the area was 'clear,' a mistaken assumption that made us complacent," sighs Rabbi Tourgeman.

"As we entered in a convoy of tanks, we were hit with heavy fire from the hilltop, and a long, heroic battle ensued. The Syrians had significant height advantage and were well-prepared. Many of my comrades were killed that night. At 2 AM, my tank was hit by a Syrian shell, and the crew had to jump out and hide in the shelling zone under the cover of darkness. A few hours later, at nine in the morning, Tzvi Feldman's tank was hit, and its occupants were taken captive."

Rabbi Tourgeman's account of the fierce battle, remembered as the Battle of Sultan Yacoub, notes the bravery of 22 soldiers who fell. Four, and with them two living soldiers, were taken captive. "I had the privilege of fighting shoulder to shoulder with Tzvi in the days before his fall. He was older than me and my friends by several years, but his noble presence was unmistakable. We encountered a humble young man, noble in character, not one to speak much, yet a talented singer. When I heard about the return of his body, I felt pain for his parents, who longed for the day he would be brought to Israel but didn't live to see it. On the other hand, I felt joy that Tzvi finally came to rest peacefully in a Jewish grave, near his late parents." Rabbi Tourgeman pauses and continues with sorrow, "Yet, we are still waiting for my study partner, Yehuda Katz, to be brought to a Jewish burial. He is the last soldier from that battle who hasn't received this honor."

"If I Survive, I'll Dedicate My Life to Torah"

Rabbi Tourgeman reflects on the battle, describing how they had to hide for hours after their tank was disabled. "I prayed in my heart to Hashem, promising that if I survived, I would dedicate my life to Torah," reveals the rabbi. "I hope I'm not letting Him down today. Meanwhile, my father, back home in Dimona, stayed up all night praying. He didn't know where I was or what was happening, but because my brothers and I were all at war, he felt a need to pray at that time. Indeed, we received special protection from above, and the Syrians didn't spot me and my crew despite our hours of concealment. My tank mate, Yehuda Kaplan, whispered to us in hiding that our survival meant someone up there wanted us alive."

The battle continued until noon, when a ceasefire was declared. Rabbi Tourgeman and his friends left their hiding place and began walking back to Israel. They soon saw figures moving on the ridge above them; using binoculars, they happily identified them as Israeli soldiers. "But our relief quickly turned to anxiety," recounts the rabbi. "From the soldiers' body language, we realized they mistook us for Syrian soldiers since we were walking in enemy territory after heavy shelling. Though we'd escaped enemy fire until now, suddenly we faced the threat of friendly fire. We began shouting that we were Israelis, but they couldn't hear us. I removed my helmet to reveal my large blue kippah. I also pulled off my tzitzit and waved it frantically."

On the day of Tzvi Feldman's funeral, Rabbi Tourgeman met Ivri, another soldier from that war, who revealed he was on the ridge. "We were moments away from shooting," he told the rabbi, "and the waving tzitzit initially convinced us you were surrendering, like a white flag. At the last second, one of the religious guys in our group noticed the fringe knots and the kippah through the binoculars and shouted for us not to fire – you were Israeli soldiers."

Why do you think the mitzvah of tzitzit resonates with soldiers, even those who aren't religious?

"Every Jew, regardless of affiliation, has a Jewish soul. Hashem cherishes this soul, and wearing tzitzit is a testament to the soul inside," explains Rabbi Tourgeman. "I'll add something specific about this mitzvah, highlighting the positive path we've taken as a people in the last sixty years. Today, even non-religious soldiers connect with the mitzvah. But as a child wearing a tallit katan coming home from my religious school, I often faced mockery from kids at other schools. Despite the ridicule, I persisted, and this mitzvah ended up saving my life," he smiles.

"Prayers are Stronger Than Anything"

When asked about his views on the issue of captives, knowing his study partner Yehuda Katz is still held in enemy hands in Syria, Rabbi Tourgeman responds, "I have an opinion on this matter, but I want to emphasize something else. There's one thing that all of Israel can unite around, regardless of perspectives, and it's the thing that will most certainly help – prayer. Prayers are stronger than any other efforts, though those are crucial too. The Talmud says if someone wasn't helped, he should pray again, for perhaps his prayer wasn't complete. Is it difficult for Hashem to save captives or defeat Hamas? Certainly not. We need to unite in prayer, all of Israel, and make this request." The rabbi adds, "Such a prayer belongs at the Western Wall, the place for all of Israel's prayers."

In this current conflict, many of your yeshiva students have gone to war. What message do you send them?

"We never educate a student for the army and war," Rabbi Tourgeman clarifies. "Our educational work, in the high school and the hesder yeshiva, is about living life with greatness, establishing faith, knowing Hashem, and studying Torah. When students are raised with these values, we witness their immense bravery in battle, and sadly, all who have fallen since that Shabbat on Simchat Torah, who fought like lions against all odds."

"Take our graduate, Yishai Slotki, for example. He left his home on Simchat Torah, armed only with a pistol, to fight terrorists and defend Kibbutz Alumim. Another graduate, Uri Shani, was a platoon commander who halted the massacre at Kissufim outpost. His soldiers recall how he fought with faith and focus, unwavering in his mission. There are numerous examples like these."

"We're in a great generation, and we need to acknowledge it," Rabbi Tourgeman concludes. "The bravery we see today is not ordinary. It's reminiscent of the heroes of King David's era. We must recognize and thank Hashem daily for this courage."