Hundreds accompanied 10-month-old Ma’ayan Domnovitch Friday to his final resting place in the absence of his parents.
His mother, Ayala, who was unable to be present due to her injuries, said, “I say to all parents, hug your children all the time.”
There were hundreds who came to pay their last respects at the cemetery in Kfar Etzion as ten-month old Ma’ayan, who was killed in a car accident in the Negev on Independence Day, was laid to rest. His parents remain hospitalized and were unable to attend the funeral.
Doron Hollander, Ma’ayan’s uncle, spoke on behalf of his sister, Ayala: “Baruch Ata Hashem, Elokeinu Melech Ha’olam, Dayan Ha’Emet (Blessed be You, Hashem our G-d, King of the Universe, who is the True Judge). The blessing of the righteousness of judgement speaks of the truth. But the truth is that we call our Ma’ayan 'Ma’ayan shalom,' a wellspring of peace."
"The truth is that we were granted 10 and a half months of joy and happiness by the Holy One, Blessed be He, and today, on Erev Shabbat, the Sabbath Eve, we have to return this gift. For God can still be found even in the depths of the concealed within the concealed. We thank G-d who gave us the privilege of being Ma’ayan’s parents."
"We called him Ma’ayan, a source of living waters, such as the vital springs we have in Eretz Yisrael. He was killed while journeying in Eretz Yisrael and we are burying him in Kfar Etzion alongside the heroes of 5708 [1947] who merited to fight for this land."
Ma’ayan’s mother thanked the rescue and medical crews, the people of the Nokdim community, and the regional council who embraced the family during their dire time of need. “We need that embrace. And I say to all parents, hug your children all the time. And to you, Ma’ayan, I would like ask forgiveness if we hurt you.”
During the funeral, Ma’ayan was eulogized by his grandfather, Moshe Domnovitch.
“It is very hard, very difficult. How does one eulogize a baby? How can his grandfather deliver his eulogy? How can we hold a funeral without his parents?"
"Who knows the ways of G-d? Nevertheless, we are people of faith, even if there are things we do not understand. It reminds me of the death of Aharon’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu. How did Aharon react? Vayidom Aharon - And Aharon was silent. Sometimes the silence that symbolizes acceptance is the power of life."
During the funeral service, Ma'ayan's grandfather, Shalom, said that “We loved you with all our hearts and with all our might; you were a wellspring of life for us. When my eyes met your eyes, it was something special, that penetrating look. Seeing you gave Grandma strength. And then suddenly the spring dried up. But we will all be stronger from the power of your smile, and now the spring of tears is dry. Please be a guide of integrity for all our family, and especially for Ilya, your father, who loved you very very much, and your mother, who loved you very much."
Rabbi Shimon Lavi, the head of Or Etzion Yeshiva, also eulogized: “It tears the heart apart accompanying a pure, innocent soul to a world that is fully consumed in its sanctity.
"He has ascended to the heights of pure holiness in the heavens, on the holy day of Yom Ha’atzmaut.
Sometimes words cannot express the magnitude of the pain. Your mother and father aren’t even here.
A pure soul descended to the world for a short time. Who can tell what is accounted for above?"
"Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day, is a day when we are deeply grateful for all the goodness we have received. Our Masters say that there are souls that uplift our world; I am sure that you are one of them. You hadn’t learned how to speak yet. Your soul will speak from above about Daddy, and about Mommy. You will be the emissary of truth. You will be the teacher of integrity for everyone. For all the people of the Nation of Israel.”
The Mayor of the Gush Etzion Regional Council and Chairman of Yesha, Shlomo Ne’eman, also spoke: “As I stand opposite the grave of little Ma’ayan, my words dry up. We embrace and support the family and the community of Nokdim, and all of Gush Etzion."
"We pray and ask the public to pray for the recovery of
Ilya Yinon Shraga ben Baya Yardena
Ayala Molly bat Nechama
Uri Amidan ben Ayala Molly
Netta Avraham ben Ayala Molly
Shachar Yisrael ben Ayala Molly
"And for a smooth transcendence for the soul of Ma’ayan David ben Ayala Molly.
May we be comforted with the building of Jerusalem.”
Ma’ayan’s parents have been hospitalized with severe injuries.