From the Flesh-Eating Bacteria to Complete Repentance: The Life Story of Gil Mizrahi

It's hard to talk to Gil Mizrahi without getting emotional. Maybe it's the poignant descriptions he provides during our conversation, maybe it's the divine providence that accompanied every moment of his life, maybe it's the extraordinary courage he possessed that led him to do what he did, or maybe it's all these things combined that create a marvelous harmony in his inspiring story. A story that begins in Israel, moves to Texas, and very recently concludes again in the Holy Land, with Gil emphasizing that this is not an ending, but a beginning. A beginning of a new path.

Conquering the World

"I am thirty-two and live in Tel Aviv," he introduces himself, "I was born into a traditional family and at the age of ten experienced a real miracle. I contracted a type of flesh-eating bacteria and was hospitalized for several months, teetering between life and death. In the end, I survived, leading my family to religious strength. My parents began sending us to strong religious frameworks, and they themselves leaned towards the religious path, but unfortunately, I was drawn in the opposite direction. Although I was sent to religious schools, by 15, I decided it was not for me. I had many questions about the world and decided to live life as I wanted. As a result, from then until age 31, I had no connection to Torah and commandments. I didn't bring Hashem into my life and managed my life independently."

Did you have a relationship with your family?

"Yes, I had a good relationship with my family, and during holidays, I would join them at the holiday table. But besides those opportunities, there was nothing exposing me to religion."

Three years ago, he decided to fly to Texas. "The decision was purely financial," explains Gil, "I wanted financial stability. I had many dreams and realized that to achieve them, I needed to earn much more than in Israel. So, I flew to Texas, settled there, worked in kiosks selling Israeli beauty products in malls, and later managed a restaurant. *Baruch Hashem*, I saw good profits, which kept me there for three years."

"I Realized I Had an Opportunity"

However, it was there, far from home and family, where a fascinating process began. "The place I lived was highly religious, from a Christian perspective. There were hardly any Jews around. Suddenly, to my surprise, I discovered that my neighbors and people I met valued me simply because I was Jewish. Almost everyone who heard I was Jewish reacted: 'Wow, you're the chosen people, a child of God.' In a way, it made me uncomfortable because it felt unusual to be valued and singled out for something I neither valued nor identified with. During that time, I began asking myself numerous questions. Mainly, I looked at myself and saw how time was passing. I began asking myself: where is my life headed? What must I do so time doesn't slip away?"

Then, purely by chance, he stumbled upon a video by Rabbi Zamir Cohen during an Internet session. "It was a video discussing the significance of man and creation. It provided explanations that precisely matched the questions I had," he shares excitedly.

In Texas, where Gil resided, there was no Jewish community. Even the nearest Chabad House was three hours away. "I realized that if I wanted more information about Judaism, I'd have to do it myself." So he began searching for more videos to provide answers. "I watched many lectures by Rabbi Zamir and Rabbi Yigal Cohen. They intrigued me, and I continued to watch. You could say I got addicted."

Gil notes that what spoke to him most during these lectures was their logic. "The logic eased me and assured me I was on the right path. It quenched my need for knowledge and information. I felt like I was getting answers for so many questions."

Gradually, these insights began influencing his day-to-day life. "Every experience I had in life, from any field, prompted me to find a related lecture, through the Hidabroot website or YouTube channel. I consumed these lectures passionately, finding them pleasing and fulfilling."

On one clear day, he made a significant decision: "I decided I wanted to start putting on tefillin. The problem was, I didn't own tefillin. That week, I spoke with my father and younger brother on the phone, and when they heard about my new decision, they bought tefillin and mailed them to me."

Gil remembers the first time he put on tefillin vividly: "I sat in the backyard, put on tefillin with trembling hands, and then sat on a chair and prayed. I felt my heart was overwhelmed with emotions. The sky above seemed expansive, and I felt like the world looked entirely different. I knew with certainty someone was watching over me, always by my side. When I finished praying and started removing the tefillin, I saw a white butterfly fluttering above me. It felt like a sign from the Almighty saying: 'Child, don't worry, you're on the right track. Keep going, and I'll be with you.'"

The Messiah is Almost Here

The numerous lectures Gil heard led him to clear belief, also providing clarity in other areas of his life. "Suddenly I got explanations for various life experiences." he notes. "Ever since I was a child, I wanted to 'conquer' the world. I had many dreams I expected to fulfill, sure of my ability to achieve them, because I'd been taught that where there's a will, there's a way. But in time, I realized life doesn't always go as planned. There's a higher power that sometimes encourages but sometimes blocks, too. When I started believing in Hashem, I received clarity. I began understanding why certain disappointments or events occurred in my life, realizing that without them, I wouldn't have achieved the faith I gained.

"In the process of strengthening, I also drew confidence from seeing how *Hashem* never gave up on me, always there for me, especially facing the flesh-eating bacteria at ten. He gifted me life, requiring something of me in return. My body is a vessel, and I have the opportunity to shape my soul and elevate myself, to thank Hashem and compensate for the years I was distant."

A particularly emotional moment was a conversation with his sister. "My sister heard I was growing stronger in faith and encouraged me over the phone. She shared rumors that the Messiah is supposedly already 'a step away,' with Hashem metaphorically holding him back to give opportunities to those like me to return. This opened my eyes, confirming how *Hashem* gave me a wonderful gift. Now, I need to apply it and fulfill my duties."

May Everyone's Heart Be Open

Nonetheless, it's challenging. "At first, I struggled mainly with doubts," Gil shares. "I constantly asked myself: who says what I now see is true? Perhaps I'm wasting my time? Here is where Rabbi Yigal Cohen's lectures helped, explaining the world's existence clearly and logically."

"Later, having concluded that Moses' truth and his Torah were true, I faced the challenge of adhering to the Torah's laws. From someone always free to do as he pleased, I had to align with the Torah's laws. The main difficulty was standing at the initial steps. I feared failing to keep the commandments. Keeping Shabbat seemed like a mountain—how do you even do that? Putting on tefillin every morning? How would I manage? Keeping kosher was also tough. Where I lived, finding kosher foods was nearly impossible. Thus, I changed my entire diet, restricting myself to very few foods. Over time, I found each small thing I did filled me with fulfillment and happiness, helping me understand I was on the right path, doing the right thing."

A few months ago, Gil decided to change his life's course and return to Israel. "It wasn't easy for me. Returning to all my friends who stayed in the secular world, sometimes I talk to them and simply can’t understand - how don't they acknowledge Hashem’s existence? How don't they see Him? Then I realize I've been given a gift not everyone receives. I got a sign from heaven, and I pray for my friends and everyone still distant, that their hearts will open so they can see the world as it should be seen."