The funeral of Sergeant Maoz Morel/Roni Knafo
Today (Tuesday) hundreds attended the funeral of Sergeant Maoz Morel on Mount Herzl. Maoz was 22 years old when he died, a resident of Talmon, a fighter in a paratrooper patrol. He died of his wounds yesterday after being wounded about a week ago in a battle in the southern Gaza Strip.
Maoz's mother, Varda, paid tribute to him: "The first thing they immediately notice about you is your smile.
There is no one who cannot think of you without the smile.
The day you were born, we went to Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem and there were crazy traffic jams.
We had to drive on the outskirts.
The police arrested us, realized we were in labor and had a police escort to the hospital.
Even today, we had a police escort here.
Apparently this is what happens with a heroic person who comes into the world.
At home you fought for your place among your three older brothers, you had so many friends, always at the center of things." "
You also liked to be outside, taking care of the garden, when you came back from the army, even when you were exhausted, you would rest a little and go out into the garden and work until the beginning of Shabbat," she said Verda broke down in tears. "You used to study a daily mishna every day and you were privileged to finish six mishna seders quietly and humbly.
I met the parents of the teammates, and they all told how sensitive you are, I'm so proud of you.
We met many soldiers that you treated before you were injured, they all told how much you wanted to save your team.
I'm not surprised that this is what you did before you fell."
Funeral for Sergeant Maoz Morel, Mount Herzl, February 20, 2024/TPS
Funeral for Sergeant Maoz Morel, Mount Herzl, February 20, 2024/Shlomi Heller
"Usually I'm not at a loss for words, but this time it's hard for me to find the words," his father Eitan said with great difficulty. "Maouz was such a strong and sporty boy, in photoball, he was a kind of quiet force, the family. He did and initiated and helped everything quietly, but this He was not prevented from expressing his opinion when it was important to him. From the stories of the fighting in Gaza. He rarely shared, we understood how strong he was. Even when he fell it was with the mag. Even in his studies he struggled to finish his matriculation. Even in sacred studies, friends were very important to him, he knew how to cultivate friendships Deep and strong in all the settings he studied in. Ma'oz, now that you've fallen, where will we get the strength we drew from you. We pray that we will be worthy of you and all that we learned from you. Ma'oz, I want to say thank you to the staff at the dedicated hospital. I apologize if I hurt you and if I did something wrong ".
Funeral for Sergeant Maoz Morel, Mount Herzl, February 20, 2024/TPS
"Those who knew our family and not Ma'oz would probably be surprised that we had a brother in the patrol. We are a family of fools," said his brother Dov Morel, a former hillbilly boy who was prosecuted for participating in the 'Blood Wedding', and has since changed his ways and political views, with a smile. "It was clear to everyone that he would be a star in the army but also in the service of God. Maoz wanted to contribute to the state and also learn Torah. He decided to sign a waiver on the Seder route and undergo training in the patrol and enlisted for 3 full years but did not abandon Torah study."
"Every time he came home, we always saw him with a book in his hand. On the morning of October 7th, he came home, took some equipment and went straight to fight in the Gaza Envelope. A wounded fighter told us that Mouz used to sit in Gaza and study Mislat Isharim in between. Mouz fell during a difficult time for the country. The period It was not easy for our family either. In the last few days, I discovered that he partially knew about the difficult time we are going through. I ask you for a support to go to the throne of honor, who asked for peace and tranquility in the land. Rest in peace, my beloved brother," he concluded.
Maoz Morel, a resident of the Talmon settlement in Binyamin, who was mortally wounded about a week ago after fighting in the Gaza Strip, died this evening of his wounds/courtesy of the family
Captain Roy Hagai.
The commander of Ma'oz spoke of his heroism: "The patrol lost one of its best men. Your shy smile, we will always remember your picture always with the mag and a big smile. You lived a life of bravery, you were always first in the battle against the terrorists. You showed courage and courage in combat, it was clear to us , in all mishaps Maoz will be first in battle. It is my privilege to be your commander. Maoz our hero, rest in peace. In the name of the patrol commanders I salute you. May your memory be blessed."
Yohai Ohion.
A member of the team, spoke of the friendship forged between Ma'oz and his fellow service members, "In Krav Maga you always beat all the guys. It stood out to us that you have friends everywhere. You said it was an interwoven religious law, but it's because of your kindness and endless giving. You put your Yourself last in the order of priorities. In every mishap you were always the first to row into contact, you could never sit on the sidelines. This is the person you were, a man of action and not of talk. You always took care of the wounded and when you were done you climbed back into the mag and returned fire. A big gap you left, your cover will be missing, Cover us from above. Thank you brother. I feel sorry for you brother Maoz, I am very pleased. How heroes have fallen. Dear Morel family, you will all be with us forever."
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