Baruch Hashem, we are privileged to literally be seeing Hashem as he gently takes Am Yisrael by the hand, bringing a true healing to many of the IDF soldiers, some listed in very serious and critical condition, with doctors not giving families too much hope for their recovery based on medical science and laboratory data.

Such is the case regarding Golani Brigade soldier Li’el [Hoshea Cohen ben Miriam], who sustained a critical head injury is an IDF tank mistaken fire incident in Gaza. Li’el was one of the soldiers visited last week by the HEART Team & YWN (reported HERE on YWN), and those who were present can provide eyewitness testimony, that his father, Effie, is a true example of ‘bitachon’ in HaKadosh Baruch Hu, exuberated over the visit of Americans, who traveled across the world to indulge in 48 hours of chessed and bikur cholim. Effie and I have remained in contact since that visit, and I feel compelled to add that our phone calls provide me with doses of gratitude for being a member of Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael, Hashem’s People, who in the face of threats from a barbaric enemy join forces to become united and indulge in tefilla and chessed.

I promised Effie during our telephone conversation on Monday that I would check in on him today, Tuesday, primarily to see how the surgical procedure went; the operation intended to reduce the cranial drainage (reported HERE on YWN).

Mr. Cohen explained that what was expected to last no longer than two hours actually became two operations lasting a combined 14 hours. “It was a most difficult day” he exclaimed in a tired voice, which rapidly perked up as he went on to explain.

“The Rofeh Kol Basar merged with the Rofeh Shel Basar V’dom (The Healer of all man merged with the flesh and blood doctors). The Heavens and Earth merged into one” he stated with an inflection of profound emotion.

Effie went on to calmly paint a picture of some of the events that occurred following the extended surgeries – stating that at some point, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi came to visit.

“I said ‘Li’el the chief of staff is here to see you’. Amazingly, he opened his eyes, those beautiful blue eyes. I could see he focused and understood the IDF’s senior commander stood at his side, having arrived to see him.”

“I continued and said, ‘Li’el, why don’t you salute,’ and he responded, ‘Abba, I can’t salute’. Do you understand, he heard, understood and responded! Actually, he saluted Hashem.”

Effie’s voice became choked-up as he continued, expressing his boundless gratitude to Hashem and you, the readers, pleading with me to urge you all to pass Li’el’s name around for continued tefillos.

Truth be said, when we left Effie in Soroka Medical Center last week, speaking for myself only, I was encouraged but did not expect to hear that Li’el spoke, yet alone exhibiting an ability to understand and respond to verbal stimulus.

I hope to remain in touch with Effie and I hope you will all continue davening for Li’el and all the wounded, soldiers, officers and civilians, all in need of our tefillos.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)