* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
Four widows from the Iron Swords War got engaged this week. Read that sentence again. In case you missed it, here are their emotional and joyful announcements:
Aviyah Luber, the widow of Yehonatan Luber who fell in battle in Gaza, got engaged to Yehoshua Gilbitz, and this is how they announced their engagement: “May the pleasantness of God be upon us. In the name of all of Israel, and with tremendous gratitude to God, we are thrilled to announce our engagement. From this joy, may there be much abundance and blessing for all.”
Shlomit Kalmanson is the widow of Elchanan Kalmanson who saved around 100 people from Kibbutz Be’eri and was killed on October 7. Here is Shlomit’s announcement of her engagement to Shmuel Firer: “Even in the most concealed of concealed places, certainly He of blessed name is also found there. From within the pain of concealment, we are thrilled to announce our engagement and thank God for this miracle.”
Shachar Yahalom is the widow of Yehuda Yahalom who fell in battle in Lebanon. She will soon marry Itamar Gottlieb who was the commander of Yehuda’s battalion. And this is their announcement: “For a small moment I have forsaken you, and with great mercy will I gather you… said your Redeemer God. Thank God, we just got engaged. Itamar and Shachar".
Bechor Swid was one of the heroes of Shlomit who rushed out to defend their settlement near Pri-Gan on October 7. His widow Neora composed a long piece about her engagement to Nir Fried. Here is an excerpt from her note: “Due to my current circumstances, I have learned how to choose correctly, to have faith, and to look for the good. To continue to live within my two worlds that will always remain. Bechor sent me Nir, who is able to absorb this complexity. Deep within my soul, I know that this is what Bechor would want from us.”
These women, with the exception of Shachar, are also mothers. None of them are seeking publicity nor are they telling other women in their situation what to do. But they want to include all of Israel in their joy since they received so much support during their grief.
Their words and the verses they quoted in their engagement announcements — written through tears — were carefully chosen, so it’s worthwhile to reread them and feel their impact. There is a lesson here for all of us.
Mazal Tov.
