His clear understanding of Jewish history and the significance of the battle in which he paid the ultimate price
Last week, the IDF announced the death of Staff Sergeant Matan (ben Vladimir v’Paulina Pesia) Vinogradov Hy”d, who fell fighting in Gaza. Matan was a tall, strapping, 20-year-old soldier, a son of Russian immigrants. Yet as became clear during shivah, beneath his olive-green IDF uniform beat a strong Jewish heart.
In his two decades of life, Matan touched many people. He was a beloved alumnus of the Shuvu institutions in Yerushalayim, where his rebbeim described him as particularly studious with a voice like an angel’s and a refinement to match. He excelled in Tanach, wore his kippah and tzitzis proudly, davened, and laid tefillin every day. He was known for the extra pencil case he carried as a “gemach.”
When he was drafted, the gemach came with him. His comrades knew Matan was well stocked with toothbrushes, toothpaste, tea, coffee, and socks for them to use. During the shivah, Matan’s mother, Paulina, recalled his exemplary kibbud av v’eim and how he seamlessly became the “man of the house” after his father’s passing several years ago. When Matan had time off, he would arrive home and ask his mother, “Mama, how can I help you, what can I get you?” In her words, he always gave to others first and thought about himself last.
She also related how just after the kevurah, an older woman approached her and introduced herself as Shuvu’s cleaning help. The woman described how for three wonderful years, a little boy would come early to school to help her take all the chairs down off the tables, and stay late to help put them all back up. Matan had not breathed a word about this to his parents, who assumed he was playing with friends during that time.
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