Sergeant Eliyahu Moshe Zimbalist, a 21-year-old soldier in the IDF’s Combat Engineering Corps, was laid to rest on Sunday (yesterday) after the APC in which he was traveling was hit by an RPG. Zimbalist, who served in the 601st Battalion, was one of eight soldiers from his unit killed in the attack on Saturday.
The IDF has posthumously promoted Zimbalist to the rank of Sergeant-Major, honoring his commitment and sacrifice.
As reported by JPost, Zimbalist made Aliyah from the United States with his family in 2005, facilitated by Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization dedicated to encouraging and assisting Jewish immigration to Israel. He attended high school at Ahavat Yisrael in Beit Shemesh and continued his education at Yeshivat Shaalvim. The hesder yeshiva, which combines Torah and Talmud study with military service, was a place where Zimbalist was known for his humility and eagerness to help others.
Rabbi Michael Yammer, head of Yeshivat Shaalvim, spoke to 103FM radio about Zimbalist’s character, highlighting his quiet, humble nature and constant willingness to assist those around him. "The one thing he wanted to do in life was to do good for others," Rabbi Yammer said. "And he always did this quietly, humbly, constantly asking, ‘Who can I help next?’"
Rabbi Zechariah Rabinovich, who also taught Zimbalist at Shaalvim, described him as having "golden hands, always ready to help." He praised Zimbalist for his simplicity, humility, and his unwavering belief in the rightness of his path. "He fought until the very end," Rabbi Rabinovich added.
During the funeral, a somber song of hope was sung, a testament to the community's unwavering faith amidst profound sorrow.
Zimbalist leaves behind his parents, Simmy and Sara, and his siblings. His death is a profound loss to his family and the broader community, who remember him for his kindness, humility, and dedication to both his faith and his country.
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