HaRav Yaakov Frank, a Rebbe at Talmud Torah Derech Tavunah in Ramot, spoke to Kol Chai Radio on Monday morning about his late talmid, Asher Menachem (Ushie) Paley, h’yd, who was killed in the Ramot terror attack on Friday.

First, Rav Frank spoke about his last memories of Ushie: “About an hour before the end of class [on Friday], Ushie came to me, mamash dancing from joy, and told me that he’s going away for Shabbos Sheva Brachos in Bnei Brak. He told me this with great simcha. Afterward, when I heard what happened, I connected the two things and feared it was him.”

“It’s very hard to talk about Ushie in just a few minutes,” he said. “The class with him and the class without him are two different entities entirely. The simchas hachayim he had is rare. He would come in every morning with a big smile, dancing and singing.”

“I think it’s something he got from his parents. Everyone can see now what their home is like. This great mother – simply unbelievable. I have no doubt that Ushie absorbed it from his parents. I also want to note his tefillos that were said with such taharah and his limmud, with a passion that wasn’t typical for his age.”

Rav Frank then spoke about the difficult moments when he had to speak about the tragedy with the children in the class. “Yesterday was really one of my hardest days. We consulted with experts before we entered the classroom.”

“Some of the students didn’t even know and I had to tell them. Under the guidance of professionals, I started telling the students what happened. Today, the method is not to gloss over it but put the matter on the table – only without all the details.”

“The children are 7-8 but they ask adult questions. I gave each student two-three minutes to express themselves. Some of them were still traumatized. I told them that we are people of emunah and we believe that Ushie has it good in Shamayim. I don’t remember such an emotional time in the 22 years I’ve been in the cheder. We sang together and the building shook.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)