"Torah and Military Service Complement Each Other": Severely Wounded Hero Ari Spitz Lights Independence Day Torch
Ari Spitz, a Givati Brigade fighter who lost both legs and an arm in Gaza, dedicated his torch to the Hesder Yeshivot, emphasizing the vital bond between religious study and national defense.
On the eve of Israel’s 78th Independence Day, Ari Spitz stood before the nation to light a torch, symbolizing the extraordinary resilience of the IDF’s wounded soldiers. Spitz, a combat soldier in the Givati Brigade, was critically injured during the war in Gaza when a booby-trapped building collapsed. He survived against all odds, losing three of his limbs, but his spirit remained unbroken throughout a grueling rehabilitation process.
During the emotional ceremony, Spitz used his moment in the spotlight to deliver a powerful message about the values that guided his service. He specifically dedicated the honor to the Hesder Yeshivot—institutions where young men combine intensive Torah study with active combat service.
"I light this torch in honor of the Hesder Yeshivot where I was raised," Spitz declared. "They prove that Torah study and meaningful military service are two pillars that complement one another." He noted that this integration is essential to the Jewish and Zionist mission, providing both the spiritual and physical strength necessary for the nation's survival.
Spitz also dedicated the torch to his fallen commanders and comrades, to the tens of thousands of wounded soldiers facing their own "battles" in rehabilitation, and to the medical teams and families who support them. He described the recovery process as another front in the war, stating, "In this battle, too, we have no choice but to win."
The hero concluded his remarks with the traditional declaration, echoing through the plaza: "And for the glory of the State of Israel!"