Sergeant Binyamin Meir Airly, a 21-year-old soldier from Beit Shemesh who served in the 101st Battalion, the Paratroopers Brigade, was laid to rest this afternoon Sunday) after he fell in battle against the Hamas terrorist organization in the northern Gaza Strip.
Binyamin's father, Robert, eulogized him: "Binyamin personified modesty. He wouldn’t have liked all the attention; he didn’t want his name mentioned. He was loved and respected by everyone who met him. A leader. His smile – shines up the room. He hated smartphones - gave it up for a Nokia. He came for Shabbat from the army and preferred to spend time on the farm, eat, sleep, and back to the farm.
He was a 'gibor' (hero). He always wanted to be on the front. Wouldn’t have it any other way. On Sukkot, he wouldn’t spray mosquito repellant because he said that he has to get used to the bites because he might not always have repellant. He was a gibor in other ways as well. “overcomes his evil inclination” – he never spoke lashon hara."
The father continued: "He had amazing 'kibud av va’em' (honoring parents). He hated taking money from us, and we had to force him to take money. He hated 'gashmiyut' – materialism. He was a boy who loved Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel). He was a leader in the army amongst his friends.
All his cousins loved being with him. When he started a new school, my friend said that he was an amazing kid, even if I didn’t see it. He is now in an amazing place; he is looking down on us now, and he’s happy. He is learning with Hashem. Even though it’s a calamity for us, he’s happy. I ask everyone here to take on a hesed or a mitzvah in his 'zchut,' in his merit. Not just for him but for Klal Yisrael. He fulfilled his job in this world, and it’s our job to continue his job."
He added: "We left the house, and hundreds of people were waving flags. As an Englishman, I hated hugs - until yesterday. But now I’m getting hugs from so many people, and it feels great. The change is happening. In our family, we never said a bad word about Klal Yisrael – or about different types of Jews, and we hope that after this war, we can carry on this tradition in Klal Yisrael that it is only 'achdut' (unity). This is the only way we can bring Mashiach and defeat our enemies. I have the most amazing wife, resilient and strong. I know we will become stronger as a family ... following in his footsteps.
Thank god I belong to a country and a community of people who have brought morality into the world, science, and education into this world. And I’m glad if Binyamin had to go, he went in service of this amazing nation. This kid was unbelievable. Every home should have a Binyamin, and if you don't have one, then either speak to my wife how to make a Binyamin because it’s all up to her," he concluded.
Binyamin's sister lamented: "What an honor it is to be your big sister – but you were always stronger. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw your smile, that made me feel safe. I will make sure that your nieces and nephews will know what a hero you are. I will remind Dad that he raised such an amazing man."
His Uncle, Ari Averbuch, eulogized: "Binyamin wasn’t part of this world – he was on a different level. Of all the days he had to die – Shabbat Kodesh."
His mother stated: "I’m going to miss your “Hey Ma” when you walk in the door. You would be mortified to see how many people are here today. The one thing I’m looking forward to in shiva – is hearing Binyamin stories, the ones I never heard. We had tough times, but he grew to be the greatest gem there is. I’m going to miss your great smile and your hug when you come home. I kept some beer to drink together when you came home. He was passionate about Kibosh Ha’aretz (conquering the land) and Kedushat Ha’aretz (the holiness of the land) – I imagined you getting married, living on a farm, eating the vegetables that you picked, and raising 10+ children – who wouldn’t know a word of English. We were very close – he told me most things that I probably didn’t want to know."