The Sale That Saved a Life

I already sold my Hametz for Pesach. This regular, but necessary, transaction usually passes with no more than a click of a button. In our modern age, we can designate a proxy to sell our leftover leaven, be it anything from pasta to scotch, without ever even knowing the rabbi involved. And if we don't know the rabbi, then how much more so do we not know the non-Jewish purchaser? But this year is different. This Passover, the sale of my Hametz actually means something because of who’s buying it. 

It all began three months ago when one of my closest friends, Akiva, was released from reserve duty after serving for over a year in Gaza. The night of his release, Akiva sent a message saying he was headed to the Kotel to thank Hashem for his good fortune and would be happy to meet anyone there. I heeded the call. It felt like the least I could do.

When I arrived it was late into the night, but when we embraced, having not seen each other for so long, it made the whole trek worth it. We prayed together under the clear winter sky opposite one of our most historic sites. I was so thankful he made it home unscathed because not everyone had been as lucky as he.

On our way back to our cars, Akiva opened up about a recent incident that occurred with his unit. Just days before his release, four soldiers were killed and many more injured. I couldn’t imagine living through that.

“It could have been so much worse,” he remarked. How could that have been possible? That’s when he first told me about his unit’s Bedouin tracker, Hadi Falach. Prior to that, I had never heard of a tracker. Apparently, many units have such soldiers. Hadi is a Lieutenant-Colonel, in charge of all Bedouin trackers for the Nahal division. Their job is to survey different areas and report back potential threats that may lie in wait.

Two weeks prior to the incident in question, Akiva and Hadi were sharing coffee when Hadi asked about our practice of selling Hametz. “Why does the Rabbinut HaRashit sell to any non-Jewish person instead of someone like myself, who is dedicated to and has served in defense of the State of Israel?” he asked. I’m not sure why this was of interest to him but it illustrates how integrated the Bedouin community is with the surrounding Israeli culture.

Not long after their conversation, Hadi was injured in a massive explosion close to where Akiva was stationed. Two Hummers had driven into a trap laid by Hamas terrorists that fateful morning. Eight roadside bombs had been detonated, injuring many. But Hadi’s tracking skills enabled him to recognize the danger and get most out of harm's way before it was too late. Unfortunately, he was subsequently hit by sniper fire, suffering serious wounds to his leg.

As Akiva arrived on the scene, he recognized Hadi and was able to aid in his transfer to the hospital. As he held his hand, Akiva promised he would arrange for him to buy Hametz this coming Pesach. But his words were more than just an attempt to lift his fellow soldier’s spirits. When Akiva commits to something, he makes it happen.

Thank God, three months on, Hadi is well on his way to recovery, although he still has a long road to travel. Akiva stayed true to his word and has worked tirelessly to find a way for the sale to happen. He reached out to multiple rabbis before finally connecting with Rav Rimon who took on the project with gusto. In the end, the Rabbinut of Gush Etzion is selling the area’s Hametz to this valiant Bedouin soldier.

In past years, selling Hametz served as no more than a nominal event. It was a box I needed to check off on my list before I moved on with my Pesach cleaning. However, this year, I heeded Akiva’s call. This normally mundane action became something much more than that. Thanks to Hadi, who’s been willing to help from the battlefield to the religious front, this transaction became a way to honor one of our finest. May he live and be well until 120 years old.