"Inlightening" the memory and soul of Duvdevan combat soldier Staff Sergeant Almanau Emanuel Falka

Late Staff Sergeant Almanau Emanuel Falka (22), was killed in the line of duty during "Iron Swords" war. Falka ("Mano", as his teammates called him), served as a combat soldier in the IDF's elite unit, Duvdevan. He was mortally wounded during the fighting in Gaza and despite the doctors' efforts to save him, he was declared brain dead and his family decided to donate his organs, "We are sure that this is what he would have wanted us to do," said his brother Noam. Emanuel saved the lives of four Israelis by his death. His heart and lungs, liver, pancreas and kidneys were transplanted into four patients who needed it. The Falka family immigrated to Israel from Ethiopia in 2004. After a year at the immigration center in Be'er Sheva they moved to Bat Yam and about four years ago the family moved to live in Kiryat Gat. From the beginning of the war, the entire Falka boys have been recruited, the younger brother Yoav is in military service, Emmanuel in Duvdevan, and Noam in "Egoz" unit, part of the commando brigade. Emanuel finished high school at Yeshiva Aderet. At the same time he volunteered at the fire department and was an instructor in Bnei Akiva. After high school he continued to pre-military training "Bnei David" in Ali. After a year he decided to continue his Torah studies and moved to the 'Ateret Mordechai' yeshiva in Tzfat. Emmanuel dreamed and wanted to enlist in the commando brigade. He did not succeed easily. After insisting he managed to get what he wanted - to be a soldier in the IDF's elite unit, Duvdevan. About a month before he was killed, he finished his training with military award and was even intended to become an officer. Modesty and giving were among Emmanuel's outstanding qualities. He gave his life for his country and his organs to four patients who needed them in order to live. "My brother is the Shamash of Hanukkah," said his brother Noam, "he literally lit four candles with his light. He ignited life in people. The miracle we hoped for, our Hanukkah miracle, did not happen, but thanks to my heroic brother, there was a Hanukkah miracle for the people he saved. That's what he always wanted - to help others." "Emmanuel is Olam, Emanuel is the letters of Almanao. They didn't want to change the name. I feel like it's Emmanu-el, God with us. The knowledge that he combined 'Safra and Sayfa', may it be upon us all." Major S., deputy commander of the unit: "Even in the most difficult times you were the best and always for everyone. You chose to study Torah in a meaningful way before you joined the unit. You chose and set a path for yourself and from the Beit Midrash you chose to go into the most meaningful service. "You always said that you would die for the sake of protecting our homeland. No one knows when he is required to return his soul to his creator. You knew." Any donation will help the family to "illuminate" Emanuel's memory by writing and inserting a Torah scroll for the ascension of his soul. The Torah will be brought into the synagogue of the Ethiopian community in Kiryat Gat. The date of entry will be announced. The donation is recognized as an expense according to Article 46 of the Income Tax Ordinance.