POWERFUL VIDEO: Rabbi Osher Weiss’s Emotional Exchange With Triple-Amputee Soldier
ISRAEL (VINnews) Rav Osher Weiss, renowned Charedi Posek, expressed heartfelt praise for a IDF soldier and yeshiva student, who was severely wounded in Gaza and became a triple amputee.
Rabbi Weiss described visiting the soldier, and shared fascinating halachic questions he was asked, regarding Tefillin and other matters, which specifically arose due to the soldier’s injuries.
He said that one of the shailos literally brought him to tears.
Rabbi Weiss concluded by strongly praising the soldier and said that the Charedi community must recognize and appreciate the immense sacrifice made by soldiers like him. It appeared that the Rav was alluding to tensions among various factions of Klal Yisrael over military service, and suggested that even if we disagree philosophically, we must appreciate and recognize the enormous risk, devotion, and sacrifice made by soldiers.
Rabbi Weiss began by saying that the young soldier was a “yeshiva boy” and “wonderful young Talmid Chacham”. (He refrained from revealing the man’s identity due to the personal nature of his story, and we will show the same sensitivity.)
The soldier lost both legs and part of his right arm, and his left hand was injured. His first question was, which arm he should wear Tefillin on, since his right arm was no longer his main one, due to his amputation. He also asked, since he has some use of his right arm while eating, does that arm require Netilas Yadayim (hand washing) for eating bread.
The final question, which brought Rabbi Weiss to tears, was when the soldier receives his prosthetics, should he make a Shehecheyanu blessing when he receives them or when he first wears them. The Rav, who was taken aback, said that nobody ever asked him about making that blessing–which signifies joy and is generally made on new clothing, fruit, and expensive purchases–on prosthetic limbs. He appeared to be moved deeply by the soldier’s questions.
“These are Tzaddikim,” the Rav said emotionally. “These are the questions that trouble him.”
He continued, “I think our community needs to know these boys and appreciate them. It doesn’t mean you need to be like them, you can have your own hashkafa. But it’s important to know that HaKadosh Baruch Hu has beloved children there as well, not only here. And HKB”H’s kinderlach are not only here but there as well.”
“It’s important that we know these kids and people, and appreciate them and say thank you.”
He concluded, “And also [we must] feel the responsibility, in your learning, in your davening, in your Chesed, in your Ahavas Yisrael–that’s what you can contribute, but you need to feel it and you need to do your utmost.”
In November, Rabbi Weiss was moved to tears by another emotional story involving an IDF soldier.
