Extraordinary IDF hero Elkanah Federman, who was injured while fighting off terrorists at the Nova festival and then returned to fight in Gaza, has become the 1,800th soldier to receive tefillin after committing to wear them daily, under the “Tefillin L’Chayal” project.

By Anash.org reporter

In a unique hashgacha pratis, the 1,800th pair of tefillin gifted to an IDF soldier as part of the “Tefillin L’Chayal” initiative for soldiers who commit to putting them on daily was IDF super hero Elkanah Federman, who was injured while fighting off terrorists at the Nova festival, yet returned to fight in Gaza.

Elkanah’s story is extraordinary. He was responsible for the security at the Nova festival on October 7, where he was suddenly thrown into the chaos of the Hamas massacre. With only a few bullets left in his gun, he miraculously fought off terrorists and saved lives. Though wounded, he survived against all odds.

But he didn’t stop there. After recovering from his injuries, Elkanah returned to the front lines, taking part in combat in Gaza, Lebanon, and other dangerous fronts. In fact, just a day before receiving his tefillin, he had returned from yet another round of fighting.

The “Tefillin L’Chayal” project, run by Chabad of Tefen under the leadership of Rabbi Kuti Miyodovnik, is part of a broad campaign that provides tefillin to any soldier who commits to wearing them, and mezuzos for the homes of wounded soldiers and active IDF personnel. Their current goal is to install 10,000 mehudar mezuzos (!), to bring much-needed protection for Am Yisrael in these critical times.

Rabbi Miyodovnik personally delivered the tefillin to Elkanah and excitedly told him that he was the 1,800th soldier to commit to putting on tefillin daily.

“You’re the 1,800th soldier to commit,” Rabbi Miyodovnik told him. “It’s no coincidence; Hashem arranged that you – a true hero – would be number 1,800!”

Elkanah, visibly moved, promised to continue fighting for Klal Yisrael, both physically and spiritually.

To sponsor tefillin or a mezuzah for a soldier or wounded IDF veteran, click here. To receive a U.S. tax-deductible receipt, click here.

VIDEO: