One of the seriously wounded soldiers in Operation Protective Edge during the summer of 2014 was Yehuda HaYisraeli, who remains hospitalized to this day. He was unconscious until erev Shabbos 17 Cheshvan, when he spoke two words.

HaYisraeli is a combatant in Sayeret Rimon of the Givati Brigade. He was struck in his head with shrapnel during a battle in Rafiach during the battle in which the commander, Benaya Sarel HY”D and Lial Gidoni HY”D fell in battle and Lt. Hadar Goldin’s body was taken by Hamas terrorists via a tunnel.

During his hospitalization Yehuda’s son Erez Yechezkel was born and he was at the bris, albeit unconscious. He has since undergone a number of procedures to decrease cranial pressure and his condition has shown slight improvement.

On erev Shabbos during a visit by Rabbi Meir Hilbitz, a rebbe in Yeshiva Gevoha Maale Eliyahu in Tel Aviv where he learned, the rav asked “Yehuda, how are you feeling?” To everyone’s surprise Yehuda responded “okay”. The rav said “did you say okay”, and Yehuda responded “yes”, his first words since being injured.

VIDEO: Yehuda’s dad, R’ David HaYisraeli speaks from Soroka Medical Center after his son was wounded in August 2014.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)