“May the Lord bless you and protect you” – A Bereaved Father’s Blessing to His Son
They stood quietly in the Golan Heights — a bereaved father and mother, holding a chocolate cake in one hand and new officer ranks in the other. Before them stood their son, a company commander and father of young children, bearing not only military responsibility but also a heavy personal burden.
Hagai Lober, father of the officer, documented the moment in a moving post, writing: “Yesterday, in a brief military ceremony somewhere in the Heights, our son, a company commander, was promoted in rank. My wife and I, his parents, replaced his captain’s insignia with that of a major. We didn’t forget to bring refreshments and a chocolate cake. The speakers talked about his dedication and values, about how extraordinary it is that after hundreds of reserve days, he continues to command soldiers, despite being a bereaved brother and a father to small children.”
But Lober saw more than just a private moment: “I thought about an entire nation that this war has elevated in rank — about people rising to meet the gravity of the hour, about brave women like his wife who raise families alone, about devoted volunteers full of love, and about soldiers carrying a nation on their backs. They deserve a promotion no less than he does.”
At the end of the ceremony, the parents placed their hands on their son’s head and blessed him with tears: “May the Lord bless you and protect you.” And again, trembling, “and protect you.” Lober added: “We prayed that the IDF would defeat the threat. We couldn’t resist giving him a public kiss, tears in our eyes. And then the reserve duty days began. Our hearts will start beating again in eighty days.”
Their firstborn son, Staff Sergeant (res.) Elisha Yonatan Lober, fell in battle in southern Gaza. He was 24 when he was killed and was posthumously promoted.
“We Raised a Remarkable Generation ”
Another moving family story came from Vered Ben Saadon, co-founder of the award-winning Tura Winery and a well-known advocate for the Shomron (Samaria). On Israel’s 75th Independence Day, she lit a torch on behalf of the farmers of the Shomron and Israeli winegrowers — and her daughter, an outstanding Air Force officer, stood by her side in uniform.
Recently, Ben Saadon shared that her daughter had been promoted in rank. “We are proud of how you uphold values and put your whole heart and soul into your role. You are living proof that one can be a woman, a mother and religious, and still be an esteemed and leading officer. We are all behind you.”
In another post, she reflected on the challenges her daughter faces: “In the two years that have passed, this Air Force officer — my daughter — became a mother to sweet little Maayan. She is a young mother, a career officer, balancing meaningful service with a small baby at home, while her husband spends long periods in reserve duty. Truly, we raised a remarkable generation here.”
A Rare Father-Son Encounter in the Heart of Gaza
During an operational tour in the heart of Gaza’s Shejaiya neighborhood, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir experienced a rare and deeply personal moment. Among the group of soldiers he met was his own son, a reserve major who has been serving for months in the ground offensive.
The meeting was unplanned, making it all the more moving. “This is true partnership,” said one officer present. IDF sources emphasized that strict security protocols were followed and no unusual risks were taken.
The Chief of Staff used the visit to encourage the soldiers: “You are bringing about Hamas’s defeat. This is a time for perseverance, for smart and responsible fighting. If we reach a deal to save hostages in the coming days, it will be thanks to all of you — your pressure, your determination, your perseverance.”
Photos of the father-son meeting quickly spread online, with many Israelis expressing admiration. One comment read: “Happy are the parents whose sons are like this.” Another added: “For the glory of the State of Israel. A picture that shows true leadership.”
