Inspiration from Zion: This is a Love Story

On Thursday, we went to pay our respects to the family of Cpl. Asif Luger, a 21-year-old soldier who was killed in action in Gaza.

We didn’t know the family, but we went as Am Yisrael, a family that hadn’t met yet. We are the Nation of Israel. We too have sons in the army.

His father told us about a good kid. He liked music and knew how to wisely balance between friends, family, and making the most out of simple moments. His mother sighed, smiled, and said, “He was perfect.”

Both parents wanted to know about our boys, where they are, and if they are okay.

We came with one simple message: “We care. We hurt that you are hurting.”

They too had a simple message: “This time, the job needs to be completed. Otherwise, our sacrifice is unbearable.”

On Saturday, we went to pay our respects to the family of Lt. Col. Salman Habaka, 33, from the Galilee Druze village of Yanuh-Jat.

We drove north, enjoying the sun and beautiful view. Suddenly, we heard an enormous BOOM. Then, short staccato: boom, boom, boom, boom. Where did it come from? What was happening? On the horizon, we saw a huge mushroom cloud. And then another BOOM, followed by the same short boom, boom, boom, boom. Another mushroom cloud.

We turned on the radio and heard that Hezbollah was bombing the north in the Rosh Hanikra region. That’s what we saw, live.

For a moment, I wondered if we should turn around and go home, but we had already driven half an hour and were just some fifteen minutes from our destination. The bombing was close but not where we were going, so why let the terrorists dictate where we go?

In the village, people directed us to the Habka family. They saw Jews and immediately understood why we were there. It was the natural thing to do.

We don’t know the Habka family, but their son Salman lived and died as part of our People, in defense of our shared country. This makes them a part of our family as well.

We came with one simple message: “We care. We hurt that you are hurting. Thank you for raising such a brave man who saved so many people.”

His mother told me of a strong, smart man, her pride and joy. She said that the day before he was killed, he sent her a message: “Mom, I love you. Take care of my wife and son.”

His wife told me: “I know he was a hero, but all that doesn’t matter to me. I just wish he would come home.”

His family said they prayed he would be the last casualty (he wasn’t) and that the job needs to be completed; otherwise, his sacrifice would be unbearable.