His name is Shmuel, a 5-and-a-half-year-old from Paris. He traveled with his parents and siblings on a special family trip to Israel to visit his older brother, Binyamin. But Binyamin is no longer there. Staff Sergeant Binyamin Lev, a soldier in the 202nd Battalion of the Paratroopers Brigade, was 23 when he fell. He died on October 7, 2023, fighting valiantly for his comrades in Kfar Aza.
Staying down during a siren in Kfar Aza
(Video: Roei Idan, Niv Moshe)
On that fateful day, Binyamin rushed to Kfar Aza, entering a chaotic battlefield, and joined a combat unit. He encountered terrorists firing incessantly. When a fellow soldier was wounded, and the medic struggled to drag him to safety, Binyamin ran to assist, pulling the injured soldier to cover amid heavy gunfire. He was struck by a bullet, which caused internal bleeding, and despite being evacuated for treatment, he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Young Shmuel arrived with his family on a journey in memory of his brother Binyamin, whom he barely knew. Since age 14, Binyamin had spent little time at home due to his studies at yeshivas in Israel and later his military service. The brothers saw each other once a year, eagerly anticipating their meetings.
Now, they reunite once more. Shmuel first visited Binyamin's grave with his parents and family. The young boy lit a memorial candle, touched the gravestone, and tried to comprehend where Binyamin was and whether he would ever see him again. "We will see our Binyamin again," his father, Rabbi Nataniel Lev, a prominent Chabad rabbi in France, reassured him. Shmuel nodded in understanding, recalling their last meeting.
From there, Shmuel visited Kfar Aza, where his brother fell. He noticed his brother's photo on the yellow gate at the entrance. "There's Binyamin," he exclaimed. His parents and siblings solemnly looked at the image of their heroic family member and his comrades who died defending the land. They entered the settlement, walking inside. Now, everyone, including Shmuel, stood near the gray security fence. Right there, Shmuel's older brother gave his life, fighting to the bitter end against the attackers. Shmuel was moved, stomping his feet on the broken stones, silent witnesses to the horror that occurred here just over a year ago.
With both hands, Shmuel touched the sand, imagining who knows what in these moments. Here, in this place, his brother, with a huge heart, gave his all to the residents of Kfar Aza, to the fighters, to all of us. As he charged, fought, and battled against the forces of evil, he fell while sanctifying God's name.
His parents listened to soldiers and friends recount memories of their son's last moments. A group of tourists visiting the site sought to understand who the ultra-Orthodox rabbi was who had come there. "I'm from France, my son was a lone soldier," his father began, "I received the news of his death immediately after the holiday. A year later, we came here to see the place where Binyamin fell."
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Binyamin's parents visited his grave on their wedding anniversary, celebrating an engagement for one of the family members that same evening. The cycle of life intertwines. Binyamin is not left behind. He was a lone soldier in military terms, but he was never truly alone, neither in life, nor in death.
"We are one people, and we are all together," Rabbi Lev told the group of Israeli tourists who looked at him with admiration and sorrow. "Each difference contributes to our wonderful nation. That's how it is in an orchestra, each with a different instrument, creating a magnificent symphony. If we were all the same, we'd be robots. Instead of comrades-in-arms, we should say comrades-in-embrace. We are all brothers."
Standing before the ultra-Orthodox father and the ultra-Orthodox company commander who joined the visit, members of the group, representing the entire spectrum of Israeli society, felt the divisive rhetoric fade away. Brothers facing brothers, coming out from behind the screens to meet reality. They looked each other in the eye with respect and appreciation, understanding we are all one family.