Elchai Teharlev, Hy”d, Killed in Car Ramming, Is Laid to Rest

IDF soldier Sgt. Elchai Teharlev, Hy’d, 20, who was killed in a car-ramming terror attack, was laid to rest on Thursday evening in Yerushalayim at a levaya attended by hundreds of mourners.

A resident of Talmon in western Shomron, Elhai graduated from the Mekor Hayim yeshiva high school in Kfar Etzion and Tekoa Hesder Yeshiva before serving in the Golani Brigade.

With tears streaming down his face, his father, Rabbi Ohad Teharlev, delivered a hespid:

“Elchai, Elchai, I remember your Brit Milah, you wouldn’t (stay still). You had all the strength and you had to be held tight. You were a dear son, with a thirst for Hashem and everything life had to offer. To niggunim, and Tehillim…” he said.

“You were everything, Elchai… You had such a big heart. When you were young, you grabbed candies (during a bar-mitzvah) and divided them between the children who didn’t catch them.

“You were happy with your lot. You burst out light and life. You had a smile that filled hearts. Your magic grace never left anyone without a smile.”

Elchai’s mother, Avital: “Our love, just a month short of 21 years ago, we received a gift — the magic of a boy who had a real soul — and now we are forced to return this gift,” she began.

“It is hard to digest the terrible, incomprehensible news that you are not with us. Your glowing look and your presence made the world a better place, a happier place. I thank G-d for the privilege and pleasure of being your mother,” she said.

“Your death is a huge loss, for the family, friends, the community, the army, for the people of Israel and for the world,” she said.

“Your pure heart touched everyone who knew you. I want to thank you for all the gifts you gave us during your time here, and I pray that we will succeed in continuing to preserve your unique spirit, even when your body is no longer with us. My boy, you have left us with a big challenge,” she concluded.

Earlier on Thursday, the town of Talmon issued a statement:

“This is the third neighbor we are losing: Roi Arbel Hy’d, father of 5; Gil-ad Shaar, Hy”d (who also studied at Mekor Chaim yeshiva and was one of the three boys kidnapped and murdered on their way home three years ago), and now Elchai, Hy”d, were taken from us by evil human beings… We embrace the family, and we ask the Creator of the Universe to put an end to our sorrows.”

Elchai Teharlev was buried in Mount Herzl military cemetery in Yerushalayim. He is survived by his parents and six siblings, yblc’t.