In your light OR, We shall see light

"In the Way of Light  (OR) We Will Go" A musical project commemorating and remembering the soldier Or Manzur, May his memory be a blessing. "Or is an angel, who came to do his job in this world... and returned to his high place" This is what Yogev Pazi, his close friend from the Egoz unit, who was killed a month after him, said about him after he fell. Or was an "angel" for many people, he was all about goodness, giving and truth. Everyone around him knew this. Or, due to being orphaned of a father he was  initially assigned by the IDF to a "backline role", but he fought and stood up for his right to be a front line fighter... and did everything to reach the Egoz unit.  He fought bravely in dozens of battles in Gaza, with a fighting spirit and a burning fire in his eyes, he was ready at any moment to give his all, and so he eventually did.  He was the first to set foot on Lebanese soil in the ground maneuver and Or fought until his last breathe and did not give up. He was the first casualty, on the eve of Rosh Hashanah on the sacred thin line between Tashpad and Tashpah dates. This is known as the time of the righteous. Or left behind a small family, a mother and younger brother. Or, being orphaned by his father, his mother raised him on her own from the age of 4. His younger brother at that time was a newborn.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Or was a warrior with supreme courage and heroism, and also a talented musician full of love and dreams. He was all about music! Through music he expressed his very spiritual inner world. Like King David, he too was a "sweet psalmist" who combined playing, singing, Torah studies with fighting. He was a man of soulful conversations, who was also willing to spend much of his time with friends in deep instructive heart to heart conversations. He expressed his wisdom and innocent faith by writing a diary throughout his army service, from which his family intends to publish a book that will be a guide for young people in military preparation, for soldiers and for all - a treasure filled with wisdom for readers to carry out throughout their lives.  Or was killed three weeks before he was supposed to start a job as an instructor at a pre-military preparatory school which he was supposed to begin on the first day of his final leave from the IDF. As someone who longed for and persevered  in studying  the Torah, Or did not give up studying even at the expense of sleep, and did not miss three prayers a day. His pleasant singing of the Kiddush and the Havdalah every Shabbat is engraved in the hearts of his teammates. His good and pure name will be written in a Torah scroll. We will all have the great privilege of taking part in the introduction of a Torah scroll in his name and in the elevation of his soul. Or will remain forever in our lives, in the dozens of songs he wrote and composed, in the thousands of words of wisdom he spoke and wrote. Via his moving voice that could open the gates of heaven, in the wonderful melodies that will continue to be heard from the music room that we will establish together, to perpetuate his unique legacy and special personality. This will be the "Or's Hall of Music" - a space of inspiration and creation where young and old alike will come to play together on the many and special musical instruments that Or played and embrace the musical spirit that lived in his soul. We long to produce an album of the songs he wrote and composed and share them with as many people as possible so their hearts will too become acquainted with his moving works and his pure and light-filled path will continue.  The album will also include works sung in his warm and embracing voice. Or was honored to usher his best friend into the wedding with a song he sang and played for him. This song will be recorded and played at the weddings of many who will wed unlike Or. His work will continue to shine, not only in the radiance of the sky, but also here in our world and in our lives and hearts. Every donation, small or large, will help us to commemorate his heroism, together we can spread the wonderful treasures he left behind. The great light he gave in his life will continue to shine.   We will give the little we can to continue to give the fruits of his wonderful creations to future generations.  And as Or wrote in his notebook: "My dream is that my music and my notes will heal the sick, make people happy and give hope to people who have fallen." Together we will continue and fulfill Or's dream.