The Paradox of Joy
A Love Reborn: Widow of Fallen Gaza Hero Yehonatan Louber Announces Engagement
Two years after her soldier husband, Yehonatan Louber, fell in Gaza, his widow Aviah Louber got engaged to Yehoshua Gilbitz, with the fallen soldier's father sharing an emotional blessing on the renewal of life.
Aviah Louber, the daughter of Rabbi Eyal Greiner, head of Tapuach Yeshiva, was left with two young sons following her husband's death, the youngest, Amatzia, born just three months after his father's passing. Yehonatan Louber, a 24-year-old resident of Yitzhar, served as a combat soldier in the 8104th Battalion of the Ra'am Formation and was killed in combat in the southern Gaza Strip on the 25th of December, 2023.
A Father's Blessing and Profound Grief
Hagai Louber, Yehonatan’s father, a prominent figure known for sharing his thoughts and grief on social media and in the religious media, wrote an emotional reflection on his son’s legacy and the engagement.
"Mazel Tov Yehonatan, your wife is engaged!" Hagai Louber wrote. He described how Aviah came to the very balcony where the family had sat Shiv'a for his passing, bringing her fiancé, Yehoshua. "We hugged them and rejoiced in her happiness," he wrote.
Hagai Louber expressed the family's deep conviction that this was the right decision, saying it is right that his beloved wife will no longer be alone, and that their two children will have a father not only in heaven but on earth. He also blessed the groom, Yehoshua, calling him wonderful and deserving of this "precious gift."
However, he deeply reflected on the paradox of joy and enduring loss, writing, "We also knew, that this does not replace. And not instead. And not in exchange. And does not fill. And does not heal." The evening included a small celebration, a toast to life, not death, and wishes for happiness and love. Yet, Hagai concluded, "And like every night before going to sleep, we cried for you for a long time. And the sorrow did not affect the joy. And the joy did not bring relief to the sorrow. And we missed you until exhaustion."
A Miraculous Connection
Aviah previously shared a moving account of the birth of their second son, Amatzia, who was born a few months after Yehonatan’s fall, with hundreds attending the emotional circumcision ceremony. She recounted feeling Yehonatan's presence throughout the birth, saying that when she yelled "Enough!" it was directed at both the incredible midwife and Yehonatan above.
During the final push, she felt her husband watching over the baby and sending her a small sign: Amatzia was born with a knot in his umbilical cord, a dangerous condition. Aviah felt this was another "great miracle" and a sign of their unbreakable connection.
A "Brother" Finds Love
The couple also received blessings from Yael Shevach, the widow of Rabbi Raziel Shevach, who was killed in a terrorist attack. Shevach, who knows Yehoshua Gilbitz well, praised the groom on social media.
"What should I call the guy who one day knocked on my door after the murder of my husband, while I was broken on the couch, bathed my children for me, took them to prayers, turned them into the men they are today and practically raised them for me," Shevach wrote, listing epithets like "adopted son, adopting son, brother, angel."
She concluded, "So today he is getting engaged, to Aviah Louber, whose husband Yehonatan fell in Gaza and she was left pregnant and with a small baby. Blessed is He who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead."