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Michael Levin was always smiling.
"You never saw Michael without a smile," said Rachel Tova Rott, a member of Michael's circle of Jerusalem friends. "We were all so close. Most of us are here in Israel alone, we live in Nachloat, and we bonded, became family for each other. When this whole mess in Lebanon began, I worried about Michael because he was on active duty in the IDF. Then someone said he'd gone to visit his family in Pennsylvania, and I was so relieved -- at least I didn't have to worry about him. Next thing we knew, he'd cut his vacation short and rejoined his unit. It was something he had to do, he said. 'If I didn't come back to fight with my unit, I wouldn't have any life anyway.'"
On Tuesday, August 1, the day before Tisha B'Av, First Sgt. Michael Levin, 21, died a hero's death. His unit, Battalion 101, had been clearing a building in Aita al-Shaab, a southern Lebanese town, when Hezbollah scored a direct hit with an anti-tank missile. The human toll was horrific – 11 wounded and three killed. Michael's comrade Shanir Turjeman told Ynet what happened: "I heard on the two-way radio that Michael was wounded, and I remembered the night before, when we'd been talking about girlfriends, family, and life," Turjeman said. "I'd lost eye contact with him during the heavy sniper fire and the antitank attack, and then during the evacuation I spotted him lying there, badly injured."
Another comrade, Shlomi Singer -- another Anglo immigrant -- carried his dying friend most of the way back into Israel before they were found and picked up by rescue vehicles, but it was too late. "It was very difficult," Singer said. "We were under heavy fire, and all around us our friends were wounded."
On Tisha B'Av, Levin was laid to rest in Mount Hertzl Cemetery. His family – mother, father, sister Alisa and his twin sister Dara -- flew in from Pennsylvania. They were joined by hundreds of people from all over Israel who came to pay tribute to the young hero.
"There's a huge hole in our group," said Yael Ariel, another friend. "We're already so lonesome for him -- he's the one we need right now. If Michael were here, he'd have some funny little comment, some little quip. He'd say something to bring us out of it, to relieve the pressure."
To speak of Michael's courage and strength of character seems almost superfluous. At age 18, he deliberately chose the hard, dirty, dangerous work of the IDF by coming to Israel to enlist in the IDF as a 'lone soldier'. Officially, 'lone soldiers' serve in the MAHAL unit, a Hebrew acronym for "overseas volunteers". Native Israeli's give the acronym a different twist: they say the letters stand for “Meshuga’im M’Hutz L’Aretz” -- the 'crazy guys from outside Israel' who voluntarily enlist.
Levin's 'crazy' passion for Israel was ignited during his years at Camp Ramah. While many campers became enthusiastic Zionists, Michael was unique – he never let go of passion for Israel. His determination to not only live here, but to serve in the IDF, never wavered. Eytan Peer was Michael's Shaliach, the Israeli immigration agent, who processed Michael's application for aliyah. "Michael just showed up at my office in New York unannounced," Peer said. "He'd charmed his way in. In my entire career, I've only seen one other person so determined."
Upon arrival in Israel, Michael wasn't about to tolerate the built-in delay that allows most new immigrants several months to settle in and adjust to the Israeli way of life before starting IDF training. Michael fought for -- and received -- special permission to join the IDF almost right away. Once in, he fought again to get into the elite Paratroopers Brigade, becoming one of the few former Americans ever to do so. He had to fight against another disadvantage: he was so slightly built, so thin, that the first time he parachuted, he drifted off course. After that, they attached weights to his parachute.
Michael was an overachiever in everything he did. Not only was he an A+ student during his 2001 term at the Alexander Muss High School in Israel, but everyone who knew him came away with a greater love for Israel themselves. "Michael always ran ahead of everyone else," Yael Ariel recalled. "No matter what it was, he volunteered to do it. When he come back to rejoin his unit, they tried to send him to Hevron, but again he fought -- he wanted to serve in Lebanon.
Michael was more than brave. Courage was part of his character.
"Was that brave?" Ariel asked. "That word doesn't really fit Michael – he was more than brave. Michael wasn't a person who did brave things. Instead, courage was part of his character. Like his coming alone to Israel to enlist in the IDF – that wasn't 'brave', so much as it was a reflection of who he was."
"In anything he did, we worked harder than anyone else," Rachel Tova Rott added. "When he was training, he weighed about 125 pounds, but part of the regimen was to run carrying a 120-pound pack. The pack weighted almost as much as he did, but he did it anyway."
Many of Michael's friends and family believe he had some premonition of his fate. "It upset me at the time," Rott says. "He'd say things like, 'if I come back', and 'if I get out of this'. I begged him to stop, not say that, but it wasn't as though he was depressed -- exactly the opposite. It was as though he knew what his job was, what he was supposed to do in this world. And -- just as he did with everything else -- he ran ahead to do it with enthusiasm, happy to be able to serve Israel. He was just the most remarkably upbeat, positive, kind and caring person I've ever met."
"Mike was a very spiritual guy," said Yitzhak Meir, another Jerusalem friend. "Shabbat will never be the same without him. Michael loved to sing zemirot, Shabbat songs. No matter how many we sang, he always wanted to sing one more. One time there was someone at the Shabbat table that wasn't really getting into it, and Mike was encouraging him, 'You gotta sing!' he said. 'You can't feel Shabbat unless you sing!' Then he'd start another song."
"Michael had a unique way of relating to everyone as their best friend," Meir said. "No matter who he was talking to, he made them feel special. In everything he did, he gave his all, whether it was listening to a friend, cheering at a football game, singing on Shabbat, or serving in the IDF."
There are no doubt hundreds of people all over the world who thought of Michael as his or her best friend. "I always knew that if there was ever a time when I needed help, for anything, I could call Michael and he'd come," Yael Ariel said. "If he was anywhere in the area, not on a mission, he'd be there, right away. It would never occur to him that it was too late, that it was a long way, or that he was exhausted himself. If someone needed him, he was there.
"The one thing that comforts me now is that Michael knew we loved him," Ariel said. "Sometimes when people pass away, you feel you should have told them more how much they meant to you, how much you loved them. But with Michael, he knew. He knew how much we all loved him, trusted him and appreciated him. That helps -- to know that he died understanding how much he meant to all of us."
Our Sages tell us that when a righteous person leaves this world, his presence can be felt more strongly in all the worlds than it was during his lifetime. Freed from his physical body, his influence will be even greater.
Michael himself may have understood that. About a month ago, he and a friend from a kibbutz were talking, lamenting the many losses Israel has suffered.. 'Why is it that all the good ones, the stong ones, die first?' the friend asked. Michael thought a moment, then said, "Maybe the real war is up there, and G-d needs them there."
Rest in peace, Michael Levin. You fought the good fight, you gave your best, every time. The True Judge, Blessed be He, has called you home to continue your work from another plane. May all of us who knew you, and all who met you only through your story, be blessed by your courage, your love of life, and your passion for Israel and the Jewish people. We love you, Michael. We'll never forget your smile, and with your help, we'll continue working to accomplish all the things you wanted for your beloved homeland.
(23) Shayna Letter , November 11, 2009
Veteran's Day...
I arrived at my friend Ari Blatt's apartment on Jaffa Street in Jerusalem to have a nice Shabbat dinner with him and his visiting mother Julie. Michael Levin was there, he had just returned from Philadelphia (my hometown) and was happy to have the opportunity to serve in the war in Lebanon, defending Israel. We exchanged a few laughs about Philadelphia, and with a big smile and his gun in his hands he said his good-byes to all who were gathered there. He was off to defend us and Israel. I felt so proud of him. I will always remember that moment. His excitement, his enthusiasm, his love for us and for Israel. When the sad news came of Michael's untimely death, I cried like a baby. It was a tremendous blow to our psyche. I struggled to find comfort in the knowledge that he died living his dream of defending Israel against our many enemies. So as we Americans observe this Veteran's Day, I thought it would be appropriate to remember this courageous American-Israeli citizen, who served our nation and sacrificed his life for us all. May Hashem continue to bless him and us, and let him forever be remembered and comforted amongst the mourners of Zion.
(22) Aaron M. , August 29, 2009
A Hero
I was recently in Israel, and learned about Michael's story while being shown around the national cemetery. He is a true inspiration. He was courageous and fought for what is right. Am Yisrael Chai! Michael, rest in peace, you lived your life well.
(21) bobby harris , January 31, 2009
a hero indeed
i have read about michael levin and yes i agree he did do hard work to defend israel his beloved homeland and i would have been proud to have supported him if he was still here because i do too love israel and never ignore it i couldnt just walk away that isnt me i stand up for everything i beleive in and including the IDF army and all that defend the homeland of israel so i say to michael rest now and we will carry on the task to be done and will look after others who still are in battle to protect and serve thank you for that story it touches me very peaceful meaningful ways wow
(20) Tarin Jakoby , January 23, 2009
A Bitter Loss, But Great Inspiration
What does it mean to lay down one's life for their country? I visited Michael Levin's grave at Mt. Hertzl three days ago, and as I looked into his smiling face in the photographs and the powerful emotions that people stir when visiting his grave. Michael has given me the inspiration to follow in his footsteps and join the IDF in Israel. He believed--as I now understand--the immense honor it is to serve one's country, even at the cost of their life, in order to protect and defend it. Michael, you will be sorely missed, and God bless you and your family.
(19) Anonymous , August 6, 2008
my hero
i never knew him but when i heard his story, i felt a connection to him.
he will always be my hero and an inspiration to me. as long as we have jews like him, we will always stand strong and stand as one.
he will always be in our hearts...