The Commander of Teshuva – Rav Yalon Yitzchaki Passes Away

DURING THE WEEK OF CHOL HAMOED PASSOVER, THE COMMUNITY OF SHUVU BANIM AND THE WORLD OF OUTREACH RECEIVED A SHOCKING BLOW WITH THE SUDDEN PASSING OF THE OUTREACH RABBI YALON YITZCHAKI ZT”L.

Rabbi Yalon Yitzchaki was born in the year 5717 (1957) on the Kibbutz “Ein Dor,” a kibbutz in the lower Galilee which belongs to the Kibbutz Movement.  During his childhood, he didn’t know anything about Judaism.  He eventually was enlisted into the army and ascended in ranks.   With time, he became the commanding officer of security cabinet member, former Chief of Staff Benny Gantz.  After his release from the army, he began to draw closer and closer to Judaism, investigating, and reading books.

One day, he decided to put on Tefilin. His friends from the army introduced him to Moreinu HaRav Eliezer Berland shlit”a, and the rest is history.  Rav Yalon moved to Yeshivat Shuvu Banim, which was in its infancy, and became one of the Yeshiva’s founders.  Over the years. Rav Yalon Yitzchaki was involved in outreach and brought many to do teshuva (repentance).

On Thursday, 17 Nisan, the second day of Chol HaMoed Passover, suddenly without warning, the heart of Rav Yitzchaki went silent while at home.  After a half-hour of battle between the upper and lower worlds, he returned his pure soul to its Creator, just five days short of his 68th birthday (22 Nisan 5717 – 17 Nisan 5784).  Rav Yalon left behind two children and three sons-in-law, and dozens of descendants.

Rav Yalon merited that his Master and Rebbe Rav Eliezer Berland shlit”a took part in his funeral.   The Rav shlit”a eulogized him, mentioning his arrival from the heart of secular kibbutzim and turning into one of the founders of the Yeshiva, and how he merited to be a pioneer in outreach.  Likewise, the Rav shlit”a mentioned his sudden passing and said that he must have certainly taken onto himself with his passing the stopping of the war very soon, and may we merit to the coming of Mashiach Tzidkeinu speedily in our days, Amen!

.ת.נ.צ.ב.ה.