He Whispered “Shema Yisrael” and Gave His Life to Save Others

Roy Klein has become a symbol of extraordinary heroism from the Second Lebanon War. As the highest-ranking IDF officer to fall in the fierce battle of Bint Jbeil, he gave his life to protect his soldiers.

Roy was a deeply committed Jew who loved learning Torah. He was also a devoted husband and the father of two young children. At the time of the war, he served as the deputy commander of Battalion 51 in the elite Golani Brigade.

On July 26, his unit arrived at the outer buildings of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon. Their mission was to take control of strategic territory that would allow the IDF to oversee the town and its surroundings. But Hezbollah was waiting. Dozens of heavily armed fighters had set up ambushes in the nearby buildings and opened fire on the soldiers the moment they arrived. What followed was an intense, eleven-hour battle, one of the most brutal of the entire war that claimed the lives of eight IDF soldiers.

Early in the fighting, Roy rushed to help Lieutenant Amichai Merhavia, a platoon commander who had been critically wounded. Merhavia would later die of his injuries, but Roy refused to leave his side. He ordered his soldiers to continue firing and throwing grenades while he and his radio operator attempted to carry the wounded officer to safety.

It was during this heroic effort that Roy spotted a grenade suddenly land near his men. Without hesitation, and with no thought for his own safety, he threw himself on the grenade to absorb the blast shouting “Shema Yisrael!” as he did.

“Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echad” is the most fundamental Jewish prayer, declaring our belief in the oneness of God. Jews throughout history have recited it in their final moments and Roy, too, chose to make that his last word.

Despite the chaos and continuous gunfire, Roy, gravely wounded, managed to radio in a final message. “Klein is dead,” he reported with chilling clarity, and he transmitted the emergency code from his communication device, ensuring that his soldiers would receive the backup they needed.

Roy Klein was posthumously awarded the Medal of Courage, one of Israel’s highest military honors, in recognition of his bravery and ultimate sacrifice.

His final act, a mix of selfless heroism, love for his fellow soldiers, and deep Jewish faith continues to inspire countless people around the world.