Saved from the Flames: A Family’s Shabbat Farm Survives the Fire

The Kadosh family lives in the community of Beit Meir, which was badly affected by the wave of fires that swept through Israel last week. The family runs a special farm called "Shabbat Farm," where they teach children about the 39 melachotת the types of work that are traditionally not done on Shabbat through hands-on learning.

This educational farm was built to help Israeli children understand and connect with the beauty and depth of Shabbat in a real and meaningful way. And yet, during the raging fire that consumed large areas around them, both the family home and their unique farm were left completely untouched.

Shlomo Kadosh, the son, shared what happened in a conversation with Yated Ne’eman.

“It was late Thursday night when we suddenly heard people shouting: ‘There’s a fire in the settlementת get out of your houses quickly!’ We rushed out. I first ran to the large water tank to try and fill it, but there was thick smoke everywhere, and sparks were flying all around us.

“The wind was gusting, and the fire spread with such force that we had no choice and we had to leave immediately,” he said. “Before we left, I left the faucet running. We didn’t know it at the time, but later we realized that simple decision may have saved our house and the farm.”

Shlomo’s father had already evacuated after moving two gas cylinders away from the house, since the pipe next to them had started burning, and there was a real danger of explosion.

“I was with my mother and brother, and we ran to the road that leads out of the settlement, trying to hitch a ride. We felt completely helpless, I don’t have better words. But then we saw that the only road out was blocked. There was a long traffic jam, and behind us the fire was spreading fast, devouring everything in its path.”

They tried to escape through a back road that was usually blocked by large stones. “We did everything we could to move them, but they wouldn’t budge. So we stood there, so close to the fire, and just cried out to Hashem to save us.”

Around 4:00 in the morning, rescue teams finally arrived and helped them get out safely. “Even then,” Shlomo said, “we were completely sure that our house and farm had burned down. How could they have survived such flames?”

But when his father returned to the area after the fire was put out, he brought incredible news.

“Everything is still standing,” he said. “The house is unharmed. The farm is untouched. Only the fence around the yard was burned. Nothing else.”

Shlomo spoke with deep gratitude. “I have no other explanation. It’s a tremendous miracle. Everything around us burned but our home and farm were left whole.”

He added a reflection. “Maybe it’s the merit of Shabbat. Maybe because we dedicate our work to teaching children about the beauty and holiness of Shabbat, Hashem protected us and everything we’ve built.”

This touching story from Beit Meir is a powerful reminder that even in the face of destruction, Hashem’s protection can appear in the most unexpected ways especially when our lives are devoted to spreading light and tradition.