
Day 19 of 36
“Where the person breaks, the fighter is born.”
Staff Sgt. Yoval Ben Yakov z”l
Inner strength
Thursday | 6 Tishrei 5787 | September 17, 2026
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Reflect & live it
Strength from Breaking: How do you turn failures and hardships into strength and moti vation? When in your life did you feel “broken” – and what fighting spirit was born from it?
Overcoming Obstacles: What dream of yours requires you to overcome physical or emotional challenges? How do you persist when the path is difficult?
Your private reflection
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How Yoval lived
Yoval, son of Emilia, grew up in Kibbutz Kfar Menachem and served in the 77th Battalion, 7th Armored Brigade, in the battalion commander’s command team. He was a determined child who let nothing stand in the way of his dream to be an armored corps fighter. He lost 30 kilos in 3 months and trained daily to reach his goal. On October 7th at the Yiftach outpost, he went out in pajamas, barefoot, with only his personal weapon and a single magazine, to fight terrorists. He and other fighters prevented the outpost from falling and saved many lives. He was 21 years old when he fell.
- Born:
- 17 April 2002 (5 Iyar 5762)
- Fell:
- 7 October 2023 (22 Tishrei 5784)
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