This is Israel: Resilience

Critically wounded by Hezbollah terrorists, Asael Lubotzky dramatically transforms from victim to healer.

by aish.com and Hasbara Fellowships

Click here if you are unable to view this video.

Published: February 9, 2013
Hear related audio on this topic.

Click here to purchase Asael Lubotzky’s moving memoir that is written in Hebrew.

Visitor Comments: 33

(32) Bonnie, May 10, 2013 3:36 PM

God

God had a plan for your life.And still has a plan ahead for you.

(31) claudia, February 14, 2013 3:15 PM

the picture with tefillin

Dear Asael, month ago I made a little research upon the use of tefillin in the IDF, and in the web I found your first picture of the video. I didn't know who you are and the terrible pain you have suffered, but the picture is so full of deep faith, pride and courage that now I understand how you could have been through that hell remaining a very good and special person. Best wishes to you and to your wonderful familiy!

(30) Aviva Siegel, February 13, 2013 11:16 PM

A True Healer!

Dear Asael, you took the impossible......and made it possible! May you have a healthy, happy life, and a long career as a Physician...B'H...........Aviva Siegel

(29) Dvorah, February 13, 2013 6:06 PM

beautiful and inspiring!

you found the silver lining and turned everything around...I know you are a great Dr., husband and father. May you continue to have a blessed life and inspire others with your warmth, wisdom and tenacity!

(28) andrew, February 13, 2013 3:40 PM

Amaizing!!

Dear Asael: I havent words to say how I admire your courage and faith. G¨D bless you and your family

(27) Angela, February 13, 2013 9:17 AM

I just want to thank you for sharing this amazing story of faith and resilience . It is a blessing to learn about extraordinary people who have gone through hellish events and have come out of them in faith and joy and have allowed God to use their trials to create vessels to be used by Him. Asael is a beautiful testimony of courage, resilience, faith, joy amidst trials, and grace. May God bless him and you all for sharing this encouraging story with a world that is full of pain and uncertainty. There is a God who is bigger than anything man can try to do to people. He carries us through trying times, holding us in the palm of His hands and makes beauty out of the ashes and pain in our lives. Joy is a choice, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. God bless you all and thank you.

(26) Taty Patrickson, February 12, 2013 10:26 PM

Your life is like Israel!

Many thanks Asael to share your story with a world who doesn't know the power of G-d

(25) Ann, February 12, 2013 3:13 PM

Wow

I keep a little book of quotes gathered here and there--many of them from Aish!--but as I watched this remarkable man and heard his story, so much wisdom flowed from him that I could not possibly capture all those beautiful quotes in one viewing! B'H

(24) Panayiota, February 12, 2013 6:35 AM

The Power Within

Dearest Asael, How beautiful your story of courage and transcendence over suffering is and what a gift to all who have the privilege of reading about your incredible inner-strength and journey through suffering to a place of using your experience to heal others with understanding, empathy and true love. What a great example of courage you are. Your powerfully positive and healing attitude towards your extreme suffering not only helped you to heal but continues to help others to heal also. What a blessing you are to this world. I am studying "Logotherapy" and you are a true example of what Logotherapy is all about. I would not be here today if it was not for the beautiful power of Logotherapy (the philosophy of Viktor Frankl) I would like to call you "my friend". May HaShem bless you and your dear family always. Love, Panayiota

(23) Barbara, February 12, 2013 4:32 AM

Amazing!!

I applaud you Asael!! For your courage and your soul, I'm glad you made it through, the world needs more people such as yourself.

(22) Minna Markowitz, February 11, 2013 8:43 PM

Incredibly Brave !!

Hashem helped heal your wounds along with a deep faith to cope with this trauma..Your strength and courage knows no bounds.... You'll no doubt be an inspiration to all who cross your path May he bless you,your beautiful family and our wonderful Israel always !!

(21) Gunther N. Ansari, February 11, 2013 6:45 PM

The resilience and grit is well shown, as to what Human Spirit is capable of, if the incumbent stays Righteous and trusting The Lord!

am most moved and convinced even more, about what The Lord makes possible, if one has the guts and moral conviction to strive in His great Plan for His People! But Israel is definitely a very special place today, having faced adversity of the worst kind, and have now literally turned the tables around, to make the land of our forefathers a reality to showcase for the rest of the world, to take the hint: Israel is here to stay, and would help all and sundry, who need real help to improve their lot! May Israel & the Holy City live forever, Amen!

LUCY ELISON SARKAR, February 12, 2013 6:01 AM

AMEN

God Bless you (Israel) more and more foreever. Amen.

(20) ronel turck fritzsche, February 11, 2013 5:38 PM

I am truly blesse by your faith and recovery. May God bless you and your family> I pray for Israel!!!!

(19) Lize, February 11, 2013 4:46 PM

You are strong and give hope to so many, May you and your beautiful family be blessed by the Almighty

(18) Anonymous, February 11, 2013 4:18 PM

Why Jewish complaints go on answer

What I fail to see and understand is when you tube features of video regarding events or happenings in Israel there is a very small percentage of viewers but when the Arab world has something to say or complain about their is hundreds of thousands of viewers now I realize there are more Arabs than Jews in this world that the ratio of viewings is really out of bound whet I can gather from that is that the Arab and Muslim world know how to complain better than the Jews and they say Jews complain a lot

(17) Anonymous, February 11, 2013 12:24 PM

uplifting

What a truly moving story....I wish you and your family well.A beautiful and uplifting story. Blees you

(16) Leah, February 11, 2013 6:29 AM

You are truly an inspiration

You are truly an inspirational and amazing young man, and a shining example of the best our nation has to offer the world.

(15) Beverly Margolis-Kurtin, February 11, 2013 3:19 AM

Know the feeling

Following a massive hemorrhagic stroke, my neurologist delighted in coming into my room every day to say, "Dr. Kurtin, you will never walk, talk, or work again. Get it out of your mind." Six months later, I returned to the work that was the joy of my life. Imagine getting paid to do something you love doing; that is what that guy was trying to steal from me. Last week, Aish had a video, "The only disability is a bad attitude." I believe that with all my nefish. The side effect of a drug required to prevent seizures caused me to have to retire. The disappointment was amplified when Wall Street criminals destroyed my LIFE'S SAVINGS, leaving me with only Social Security as my means of support. Baruch Hashem, unlike millions of others, I still have a roof over my head and food in the pantry; what more could a person ask? Really, what more? Yes, we can want more, but do we NEED more?l Gratitude for what we have seems to be displaced by insatiable greed. Millionaires want to be billionaires. Those who have Fords, want Cadillacs. Why do we want more, more, more without being grateful and happy with what we have if only for a few moments? For that matter, why do the Arabs want us gone? It is because their religious leaders have taught them to hate us for no reason other than we exist...like the rest of the world. About the only thing I'd love to do is visit Israel before I die, it will never happen, but that does not mean that i cannot defend her in my own ways. Look out, world, here I am!

(14) Anonymous, February 11, 2013 2:44 AM

Great music track as well!

Who does the music?Where can I find that music track??

(13) Anonymous, February 11, 2013 2:43 AM

Asael,p,ease say pray for my son, I want him to become a soldier one day .may hashem give him refoa shlema,

(12) Aliza, February 11, 2013 2:02 AM

Wow.

Wow. Hshem should give you the strength to go maychayil l'chayil. You are an inspiration.

(11) Anonymous, February 10, 2013 9:12 PM

Amazing story

Asael is a hero and such an inspiration.

(10) Yaholomit, February 10, 2013 6:24 PM

Miraculous hero

You are tribute to what a hero is. May HaShem bless you and your family in all your endeavors .

(9) Evelyn, February 10, 2013 6:17 PM

Amazing recovery.

I wish you and your family the very best. May you continue to contribute as you are now. Let us hope that Israel and Israelies suffer no more tradgedies. Let everyone use their talent and intelligence to continue to build the best country in the world.

(8) Leah klein, February 10, 2013 4:20 PM

Wonderful uplifting video

Your story really made me so proud of you and of all Israelis. I am so happy that you became a doctor and have had a child, a new Israeli. What great love of G-d, Country and great Revenge against the forces of evil that tried to end your life Klo Tov.

(7) Melanie Vliet, February 10, 2013 3:58 PM

Rockets to Roses

Another listserve I'm on sells beautiful art objects made from rockets shot into Israel. This wonderfully positive gentleman, by going from cripple to doctor, is a human version of that group's work. I congratulate him!

(6) annie Hershkowitz, February 10, 2013 3:49 PM

victim becomes healer

Wishing you and your family long life! your story is such an inspiration! I am second generation Shoah survivor from France, I became a psychotherapist, motivated by the same thoughts! with love to you and your family Annie

(5) Ray, February 10, 2013 3:47 PM

Inspiring! Please create Arabic subtitles and put it on you tube

I believe that stories that humanize the conflict have the possibility of dampening hatred. That is why providing Arabic subtitles and access to videos like this may be important.

(4) Abi B Abraham Rubio, February 10, 2013 3:44 PM

I congratulate you for your dedication to others, your life as a soldier and a doctor is a great example to many people around the world, you'll be a tremendous doctor.. Thanks for been so brave and humble at the same time. You have a lot to give to give and the more you give the more youll recieved. May Hashem multiply 1000 times all your goods deeds in blessings for your entire family. Puerto Rico Abi B A. RUBIO

(3) Michele, February 10, 2013 3:36 PM

Todah Rabah! Pray for peace for Jerusalem: "May those who love you be at peace! ..

(2) Gábor Fränkl, February 10, 2013 3:26 PM

I salute you, total HERO sodlier and now doctor!

I LOVED every single second! I love you dear soldier!!! Have many more babies and a fabulous life! Israel Forever! Gábor Fränkl (34) Budapest, Hungary (East-Central Europe)

(1) Matisyahu, February 10, 2013 11:08 AM

Wow! Amazing!

Really uplifting

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