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fact he had been severely burned all over I would not dare to say to Nechama On behalf of the IDF, I salute all of the
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his body, Dedi returned to the tank to ה ָע ְמּ ִד ִמ ך ִי ַני ֵע ְו י ִכ ֶּב ִמ ך ֵלֹוק י ִע ְנ ִמ, “stop your bereaved families, all of the mothers
rescue another crew member, and only voice from crying, and your eyes from and fathers, the widows, siblings and
then was taken to the hospital. His tears.” But I will rely on the words of the orphans as one. You all deserve to be
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brother Effi remained in the battlefield, Prophet when I say ך ֵת ָּל ֻע ְפ ִל ר ָכ ָש ׁשֵי, “there honored with deep gratitude. I salute,
and despite the fact that his tank had is reward for your actions.” There is a embrace and support you with all my
been hit, he joined another tank and reward, and it is the third mother who heart. You are all an example of strength
continued fighting. On the 12th day of benefits from that reward. and resolve and serve as an ongoing
the war, when the IDF was fighting on I don’t know her name, but this third testament to the power of our nation
the West Bank of the Suez Canal, Effi mother represents countless mothers when we work together for that which
was struck again and killed. Yosef and who fill this land. These mothers have matters most. And this is the strength
Nechama Yisraeli received the dreaded built families, and they and their of Nechama, who said, only days after
knock on the door – the knock that too children have built Medinat Yisrael. They losing both her sons: “If there are no
many Israeli families have experienced are religious and secular mothers, from values to dedicate life to, life itself has
– and were told the news of Effi’s death. no value.”
cities and villages, who have children,
Dedi was still in the hospital, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, May the memory of our fallen boys and
despite his serious burns, his situation and who are able to live securely in their girls be a blessing for all of Am Yisrael.
began to improve. He was alone in his land because of the sacrifices of the first  Search for “Yom Hazikaron 5781: The Three
room, shielded from the news of Effi’s two mothers. Mothers” on Mizrachi’s YouTube channel for
death. Dedi was so weak he could barely the full video with English subtitles.
speak, but after a few days, when his
father Yosef entered the room, he said,
“Abba, I managed to write a letter
to Effi.” Yosef, who had only recently
become a bereaved father, was silent
for a moment, and then he said to Dedi,
“There is no-one to send the letter to.
Effi is no longer.” Dedi began processing
the news, and the pain gradually began
to sap all his strength. He sunk into
sadness, stopped fighting for his life,
and slowly faded away until he too died.
Two mothers, Rachel and Nechama,
cried over the fate of their children. One
of the mothers, Rachel, was unable to
live in the land, but is told her sons will
return to live in it. The other mother,
Nechama, lived in the land, but for that
right paid the unbearable price of her
two sons.

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