An attack in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood in Jerusalem.
January 27, 2023 (Roni Knafo)
Today (Sunday), hundreds accompanied Raphael Ben Eliyahu and Shaul Chai, who were murdered in an attack on the Neve Ya'akov synagogue in Jerusalem, on their last journey.
"You sacrificed yourself in order to save living people from crime," his son Raphael paid tribute at the Mount of Rest, "You should have come to California for the marriage of your second grandson, which you didn't get to keep. Instead, I came to you in Israel to the cemetery."
Raphael's son continued, "You gave your life so that other people wouldn't be hurt. I'm sure you rest in heaven. I will adore you forever, my heart is broken to pieces. I won't be able to call you dad, ask you how you are or get good advice from you," he said.
"My father, I love you so much. You taught me to be the person I am and the man I am. You filled me with so much happiness when we watched Beitar's games, a quality time that will never return, when you bought me my first bicycle and my first computer."
"You taught me to be the person I am."
Raphael Ben Eliyahu (photo: Walla! system, no credit)
"Rest in Heaven".
Raphael's funeral (Photo: Flash 90, Yonatan Zindel)
"I'm so happy that you were at my wedding dad, under the canopy and accompanying me all the way," the son continued.
"Being the godfather of the first grandchild, seeing him and holding him in my hands. I love you and miss you endlessly."
Another son of Rafael, who was by his side at the time of the attack, said that he and his family said goodbye to him in his last moments, when he was on the floor.
Within a month, Rafael's wife lost her father and became a widow.
Matan, Rafael's son who was seriously injured in the attack, lay down on the mother to save her and took two bullets.
"We moved from Kiddush to Kaddish," said the son.
"I didn't believe in my wildest dreams that you wouldn't get to be in my and Matan's shelter. You didn't get to know your grandson."
The son said that when he recognized the moments of the attack, he immediately called 911. "You always liked to help, at the terrible moment - you braked and we both jumped out of the car, you dialed 101 and I dialed 100. He didn't even let you finish the call," he said. "I love you, you were a hero
You didn't think twice.
You braked the car and we both got out - you told me to call.
Half of my heart is gone.
I will miss you and be with you every breath.
I will never forget that damned evening."
He went to a Torah class - and was murdered.
Shaul Chai (photo: Walla! system, no credit)
"He was everyone's father."
Shaul's funeral (Photo: Yanon Yathach)
Rafael Ben Eliyahu, 56 years old, is a resident of the Neve Ya'akov neighborhood who worked for Israel Post.
He left behind a wife and four children.
His acquaintances tell of a modest, meek and pleasant man.
Shaul Chai is the collector of the 'Zocor Lavraham' synagogue in Pisgat Ze'ev.
On Shabbat night he ate at his brother-in-law's house in Neve Ya'akov and was on his way to class in Pisgat Ze'ev - then he was shot dead.
"He was everyone's father, helped everyone who needed it. No one asked him for anything and he said no," said a person who knew him.
The two were murdered along with five other people in an attack near the Neve Yaakov Synagogue in Jerusalem.
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