Last week, during Chol HaMoed Pesach (the intermediate days of Passover), the Shuvu Banim community and the world of teshuvah (repentance) were struck with shock by the sudden histalkus (passing away) of the Mashpia (spiritual mentor), the pious Rabbi Yalon Yitzhaki zt"l (of blessed memory). Brief highlights of the life of the "Commander of Teshuvah":

Rabbi Yalon Yitzhaki was born, as mentioned, in the year 5717 (1957) in Kibbutz Ein Dor—a kibbutz in the Lower Galilee belonging to the Kibbutz Movement. In his childhood, he knew nothing of Judaism. In time, he enlisted in the IDF and rose through the ranks; over time, he became the commander of the current member of the Security Cabinet and former Chief of Staff, Minister Benny Gantz. After his release from the army, he began to draw closer and closer to Judaism, researching and reading books. One day, he decided to put on tefillin (phylacteries). His army friends introduced him to our teacher, Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a (may he live long and good days), and from there, everything is history. Rabbi Yalon moved to the Shuvu Banim Yeshiva, which was then in its infancy, and became one of the founders of the Yeshiva. For years, Rabbi Yalon Yitzhaki was involved in kiruv (outreach) and brought many back in teshuvah (repentance).
Last Thursday, the 17th of Nissan, the second day of Chol HaMoed Pesach, in an instant and without prior warning, the heart of the Mashpia Rabbi Yalon Yitzhaki fell silent in his home. After half an hour of a "struggle between the upper and lower worlds" (a reference to the struggle for life), he returned his pure soul to its Creator, just five days before his 68th birthday (22nd of Nissan 5717 – 17th of Nissan 5784). Rabbi Yalon left behind two children, three sons-in-law, and dozens of magnificent descendants. Rabbi Yalon merited that his teacher and mentor, Rabbi Eliezer Berland yibadel lechaim tovim (may he be distinguished for a long life), participated in his funeral. The Rav shlit"a delivered a hesped (eulogy) for him, mentioning how he came from the very heart of secular kibbutz life and became one of the founders of the Yeshiva, and how he merited to be a trailblazer in teshuvah for many. Furthermore, the Rav shlit"a mentioned his sudden passing and said that he surely took upon himself through his passing the cessation of the war very soon, and that we should merit the coming of Mashiach Tzidkenu (our righteous Messiah) speedily in our days, Amen!

May his soul be bound in the bond of life.