The runners are off – running ten kilometers from Carmel to Susia in southern Judea, in memory of fallen Col. Dror Weinberg.
The run has taken place every year since Weinberg was killed seven years ago in a battle with terrorists along the route known as Worshippers' Path between Kiryat Arba and Hevron. Eleven other Jews - civilians, soldiers and officers - were also killed in the terrorist ambush, which turned into a full-fledged battle. Hundreds of Jews walk every Sabbath back and forth along the route to the Machpelah Cave and other Hevron sites.
Taking part in today's run are Dror’s father, Uri Weinberg, as well as Dror’s children, representatives of the IDF Judea Brigade that Dror commanded, some of his former underling soldiers, students and graduates of the Susia Yeshiva, and local residents.
The run is organized by the Susia Environmental Yeshiva High School, which has taken upon itself to mark Weinberg’s memory each year. Having begun at 2 PM, the run is to conclude in Susia where Mt. Hevron Regional Council Chairman Tzviki Bar-Chai and Uri Weinberg will hand out medals to the winners.
The day began with a series of Torah lectures in the yeshiva on the topic of “Rebellions and Rebelliousness.” The yeshiva views Col. Weinberg as the ideal manifestation of “safra v’sayfa” – "book [Torah studies] and sword."