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Dr. Yitzhak Yifat, of blessed memory
During the last Shabbat, we were informed of the passing of Yitzhak Yifat, known to all of us from the famous and iconic photo of him in 1967 next to the stones of the Western Wall with the soldiers who served in the Paratroopers Brigade during the Six-Day War. He was among the first to break into the Old City and reach the Western Wall.
A few years ago, Yitzhak shared his feelings about the historic photo: “I thought about my late grandfather, about his history, who always spoke about the Wall. He wasn’t a fighter and didn’t get to see the Wall in our hands, so I felt it was a lot for him. We entered the Wall area, and suddenly I saw the giant Kotel and its large, special stones. All my friends stopped, and I went to check that everyone was okay and if anyone needed anything. I’m not a man of prayers, but the religious soldiers started praying. I touched the Wall and placed my hand on the stones. It’s a moment that stays with me all the time. Then I remember we tore some notes, each wrote their heart’s wishes, and then we inserted the notes between the cracks in the Wall.”
His family members recount: “The photo of our father next to the Wall and the battles for the conquest of Jerusalem accompanied us throughout the years. Our father treated Jerusalem with sanctity.”
In 2018, Yitzhak came with his grandson to an “upsherin” haircut celebration at the Western Wall and met with Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, the rabbi of the Western Wall and Holy Sites, during which Yitzhak did not hide his excitement about the occasion.
