On Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel, as in previous years, I am laying tefillin in memory of one of our heroes who fell for our revival and freedom. This year too, I met with the Rebbe’s emissary,

Each time, for another fighter, for a beloved son, for a hero of Israel. Each year, a different story. A different heart. A whole world. This year, I had the privilege of laying tefillin for our hero Sean Carmeli, may his memory be blessed. Sean, a lone fighter who came from the United States to defend the State of Israel, chose to tie his fate to the fate of our people. Out of deep faith, out of a mission. He fell in battle in Gaza – but his spirit continues to live within us, in the heart of the nation. When I lay his tefillin, I feel the deep connection between the generations. Between a tradition of thousands of years and the heroism of our time. Between a silent prayer and an act of self-sacrifice beyond compare. In this moment, with the straps wound around the hand and heart, I offer a silent prayer for his memory, for the memory of all our fallen, and for the future of our people in this land. “And all the peoples of the earth shall see that the name of the Lord is called upon you, and they shall fear you.” **May the memory of our fallen be blessed and preserved in our hearts forever. Photo: Maayan Tual, GPO