Six years ago, Rabbi Ohad Taharlev's world was destroyed when his son Elahi, a Golani fighter, was killed in a vehicular attack at the Ofra junction.
Now that no less than 71 other families from the Brown Brigade have been added to the circle of bereavement, he is the one accompanying them as a reserve casualty officer in the brigade.
"I was always an armorer, and among other things I served quite a bit in Nahal Oz," Taharlev says. "After Elahi fell, I went to the Golani Brigade's casualty unit.
"The amazing State of Israel does not forget a bereaved family for the rest of their lives, and over the past three years I have joined the officers and casualties in the Golani and accompany families of the Yom Kippur War, the Lebanon War, and more. I put on a uniform with the brown beret and strengthen them."
"It is a great privilege"
Rabbi Taharlev's role was significantly elevated after the massacre near Gaza, because because of the huge number of dead, the city officers responsible for the gospel of Job could not accompany the families throughout the shiva, as is customary. Stepping into their shoes are casualty officers, who usually connect with families only after being sworn in.
"Who prayed that I would do this role, but I have a great privilege to do so," Taharlev says. "I connected with the families even before the funerals, and I was there as an IDF representative to help with everything needed, and especially to carry the burden under the stretcher, to help with the pain, to be there for them.
"Usually the informants are the ones who are with the bereaved family throughout the shiva and only then do they pass the stick to the casualty officer, but here, because of the large number, the informants came, announced and left, because they have more work to do. Those who entered the picture are the casualty officers who try to be there for the families."
His funeral Dor Yarchi, Golani fighter, photo: GettyImages
"To strengthen them in their pain"
Rabbi Taharlev says that his personal bereavement helps him in his current role and strengthens him. "What I experienced has meaning, but I'm not the story. I went to many funerals on Mount Herzl and didn't go visit my son, because I was there for them. I understand the hearts of the families and try to give them strength, to strengthen them in their pain.
"When, God forbid, a soldier falls, there is chaos, the ground drops under your feet. And in a way, the officers knocking on the door are the ones holding you. Help this at the most difficult moment. I'm proud that I can do this role for them as they did for me."
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