Last week, Israel celebrated the 77th anniversary of its independence. Despite the many challenges we face, there is still cause to celebrate the miracles. However, our achievements came at a price. On the day before Yom HaAtzmaut – Independence Day – we observe Yom HaZikaron – Memorial Day. In Israel, it is a solemn occasion, where we remember those who have fallen to make the return of the Jewish people to the land G-d promised us possible. It is impossible to fully grasp the magnitude of our loss, but it helps to reflect on the lives of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the people, the Torah, and the Land of Israel.
Zechariah Haber Hy”d was a talmid chacham who died while on reserve duty in Gaza. He leaves behind a wife, three young children, parents, and three brothers.
Zechariah Haber was born in New Jersey. His family made aliyah to Israel when he was eight years old. He attended the hesder program at Yeshivas Har Etzion, combining intense Torah study with service in the IDF as a tank commander. He was often among the first to arrive at the beis midrash and the last to leave. After completing his night seder, he studied Arabic and Russian.
After completing hesder, Zechariah remained at the yeshivah, delivering shiurim and chaburos in both Hebrew and English. Some of these can be viewed online at www.zechariahhaber.com/torah. On his laptop, he compiled an extensive encyclopedia of Talmudic topics, which he shared with friends upon request. He engaged deeply with questions such as the purpose of mitzvos. The first volume, on the Ohr HaChayim, has been published as Minchah Chadashah by Yeshivas Har Etzion. The rest of the encyclopedia is being edited and prepared for publication. Questions about the sefer can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Zechariah earned BA and MA degrees from the Faculty of Agriculture at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Rehovot campus. He was awarded a posthumous doctorate from Tel Aviv University, where he had been studying when he was killed. His thesis focused on growing crops during drought years. Links to his scientific publications and additional information about his work can be found at https://www.zechariahhaber.com/work. While at the university, Zechariah continued to learn and teach Torah, completing Shas. With his expertise in both Torah and agriculture, Zechariah was poised to become a leading authority on the halachos of agriculture and the mitzvos linked to the Land of Israel.
While studying, Zechariah met and married Talia Friedman. They have three children.
On October 7, 2023, Master Sergeant Zechariah Haber was called up for reserve duty with the 87th Battalion, 14th Armored Brigade. He took immense pride in his tank, always ensuring it was in top condition. His tank mates, Elad Tadmor, Adi Weinstein, and Yair Katz, were like family. Yair and Zechariah were both killed in battle in Gaza on 6 Sh’vat – January 16, 2024. His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family and the Jewish community.
Perhaps the greatest danger to Israel is the polarization within our society. Most painful has been the debate over chareidi service in the IDF. Some argue that the Torah-observant community has shirked its responsibility to defend the land and people of Israel. Others claim that military service is incompatible with a Torah-observant lifestyle.
A disproportionate number of soldiers serving in combat units and those who have fallen in battle are products of the Hesder Yeshivos, like Zechariah. Many in the Torah-observant community have done far more than their fair share in defending Israel.
Zechariah and others like him have proven that one who serves in the IDF can not only be a shomer torah u’mitzvos but also a talmid chacham of the highest order.
By Manny Behar
