The Prophecy That Came True
Just days before the “Swords of Iron” war erupted, a Torah scroll dedication ceremony took place at the base of the IDF’s elite counter-terrorism unit, LOTAR. The debate surrounding the parochet (curtain covering the Torah ark) inscription foretold the tragic loss of LOTAR fighters mere days later.
In Memory of the Heroes of LOTAR
Social activist Yair Ansbacher, who shared the story on platform X, described the emotional ceremony. Attending the Torah scroll dedication were the families of the fighters, unit commanders, and even popular singer Ishay Ribo, who sang and played with heartfelt emotion.
The brigade commander, Colonel Gil Elia, was uncertain about the wording to be embroidered on the parochet and the Torah ark. After consulting with former LOTAR commander, Lt. Col. (res.) Eli Ginzburg, he chose a phrase that at the time seemed distant and symbolic: “In memory of the heroes of LOTAR who fell in defense of the people and the land.”
A Chilling Fulfillment
In those moments, Yair continues, Col. Elia wondered aloud why he should dedicate the scroll to fallen soldiers, since there hadn’t been any in LOTAR. Still, the wording was accepted. Only days later, the haunting inscription became a tragic reality. On the first day of the war, five members of the unit—both fighters and commanders—fell in battles in the south:
Staff Sergeant Ben Rubinstein
Major Roi Nagari
Master Sergeant (res.) Omri Belkin
Major (res.) Sagiv Golan
Lt. Col. Eli Ginzburg himself, who had composed the parochet dedication—and fell in combat.
