כיכר השבת

Senior Military Rabbi Who Founded Northern Casualty Unit Dies

Lt. Col. (Res.) Rabbi Binyamin Makhlouf, a prominent figure in the IDF Rabbinate, has died of a heart attack, marking a significant loss for the military and religious communities. Makhlouf had previously served as the Chief Rabbi of both the Central and Northern Commands and played a key role in establishing the IDF’s Northern Casualty Identification Unit (“Eged HaMachatz”) on October 7, 2023. In civilian life, he led the kashrut department under Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu and served as the community rabbi in Karmiel. “He truly lived by the words ‘You shall not fear any man,’” said those close to him, describing him as a leader who embodied courage and commitment in the face of immense challenges.