Israeli Ministry Of Defense Refuses the Term “Hashem Yakum Damam” For The Tombstone of Chabad Soldier

israelnationalnews and CrownHeights.info

The family of Israel Yudkin, a Chabad soldier from Kfar Chabad who fell in battle in Gaza, is due to go to his grave this week at the military cemetery on Mount Herzl to erect his tombstone, but there is a controversy.

Yudkin’s family has appealed to the Ministry of Defense, according to his brother Dubi, a company commander with 93 fighters serving under him, to write the customary words ‘Hashem Yakum Damam’ – ‘God shall revenge his blood’ on his tombstone. The request was denied.

“It is greatly disturbing us as a family that on Thursday, we must submit the wording of the headstone to the Ministry of Defense and my mother has asked that the words ‘God shall revenge his blood’ be written on his tombstone,” he said in an interview with Channel 14.

“This is the wording that haredi people write on their gravestones. The Ministry of Defense does not approve the word “Hashem” [God], nor the root of the word “Yakum,” because revenge is forbidden, so the Ministry of Defense has not approved this.”

He added: “If you don’t respect the fallen haredi soldiers, then how do you want me to stay in the army? If you don’t respect my brother who fell during his service, why should I respect you at all?