When we sing the song ‘Eshet Chayil’ as we welcome in the Sabbath, we recite the verses describing a woman secure in her role, proud of her vast accomplishments, appreciated for her wisdom, courage, and goodness. Today, I’d like to share the stories of three women of valor who share all of those qualities, as well as those of leadership, heroism, and sacrifice.
On October 7th, the Zikim IDF training base Bahad 4 in southern Israel was attacked by several units of Hamas fighters, many of them coming in by sea. The Israeli navy had stopped four attacking boats, but four others got through. After slaughtering a number of teenagers and others at the beach, these units attacked the Zikim training base, where almost 100 new recruits and their commanders were sleeping until just before the attacks. My 1st cousin’s daughter, at the time a PT instructor for new recruits at Zikim, had been granted a shabbat and holiday furlough and was at home for Simchat Torah. She’d been training these recruits, and working with their commanders.
All of the recruits were unarmed and the just over a dozen officers and other ranks on the base had only their personal weapons. The officers gathered the recruits and got them to shelter, as they took up positions to defend the group. Others found a route to evacuate the recruits while the terrorists were being held off.
The few seasoned officers who were there battled the terrorists for hours. Six officers and one new recruit were killed in the battle for Bahad 4. Three of the officers were women — Sgt. Eden Alon Levy, Cpt. Or Moses, Lt. Adar Ben-Simon.
Unlike other IDF bases and outposts in the area, Bahad 4 never fell. The military remained in control of the facility throughout the battle. They eventually managed to fend off the Hamas men, saving over 90 recruits.
Sgt. Eden Alon Levy’s sister, Shani, recounted that the story of the Bahad 4 “...proves without a doubt just how much female fighters can do. About 10 terrorists arrived at the base, equipped with RPGs and grenades. [The terrorists] started shooting at them. Her entire team fell with her, but they saved the recruits. I’m proud of her and I hope I can be as brave as her. She’s everyone’s hero.”
Lt. Adar Ben-Simon made sure her unarmed recruits were behind her, and turned to face the enemy. Her last text to her sister that morning was “Nine terrorists are running towards us. I've got a bullet in the chamber. Shema Yisrael. We'll talk later.”
Cpt. Or Moses was determined to be a soldier. “Since 7th grade she knew she wanted to be a combat soldier and to have a meaningful IDF service, it was clear to her,” her mother Yoki shared. Or, a deputy battalion commander in a search and rescue unit, organized the defence. Posting armed officers at defensive points and confronting squads of terrorists herself, she fought overwhelming odds. She fell, but ensured that the lives of dozens of young soldiers were saved.
These are three among the fallen heroes of Zikim. That day, with all of its horror and loss, all across the Gaza region, magnified the commitment and determination of an entire generation of young men and women who serve their country and their people, prepared to fight and sacrifice for their country and the Jewish people. There was so much loss that day, and in the months that have followed. There has been no lack of examples over the decades of men and women who served, sacrificed, and are remembered as we observe Yom Hazikaron the day before we celebrate Yom Haatzmaut.
Tonight, as you welcome in Shabbat, and as you may perhaps sing Eshet Chayil, think of Eden, Adar, and Or, and all of those who have shown us what heroism is.
On Tuesday, April 29th, at 7 pm, we will observe Yom Hazikaron together. You can register HERE. location will be shared in advance of the event to registrants.