The words of Mordechai Wiseman, father of Aviel, are still echoing in the hearts of many after his son’s funeral on Tuesday, January 14.
Staff Sgt. Aviel Wiseman was a fourth generation Messianic Jewish believer from Poriya Illit in the Galilee region. Around a thousand people gathered for his funeral.
He and four other soldiers from the Nahal Reconnaissance Unit fell in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, when a building collapsed.
“We’re here on the face of the earth to be an expression of God’s love, for his glory,” said Aviel’s father. “We are His craftsmanship, his musical instrument. Aviel, God created you with many gifts – with a sharp brain, attention to detail, great technical ability… He also put in you a strong desire to the right thing.”
Mordechai urged all those listening to emulate that same desire to do the right thing that his son had:
“Don’t compromise on the truth, pursue righteousness… invest in what is right with integrity and confidence. Do that and you’ll be a blessing to all those around you.”
Commending the strong faith and sharp conscience of his son, Mordechai said of Aviel, “You were happy to serve with all your heart and you made a significant contribution to us all here in this land. You were, you continued to be, and you will forever be a blessing. Dear son, in twenty short years you managed to do a great deal with your life for God’s glory.”
Now laid to rest along with 840 other Israeli soldiers killed during this terrible war, Mordechai released his son to the arms of God, with the parting words from the Apostle Paul:
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.“ (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
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The broken father ended by telling his son to rest in the embrace of God, until they see each other again in eternity, and ended with the words from Job:
“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)
In an interview with JFeed1, Mordechai encouraged Israeli families to make the most of their children, saying, “Cherish those everyday moments – they’re what you’ll remember. When your kid’s absorbed in their phone or computer, walk into their room anyway. Give them a hug. Place your hands on their heads and say a prayer when they leave the house.”
Mr Wiseman said of Aviel, “He lived his life as he wanted to live it, he was so proud to be part of a group of people who do and contribute… He may have died young, but he lived exactly as he chose… He was incredibly proud to be part of something bigger than himself, to be among people dedicated to serving others,” adding that, “he had this remarkable talent, these abilities waiting to be expressed. The army gave him that platform. He thrived there, surrounded by others who shared his commitment to service.”
That was one of the most heartbreaking aspects of this funeral and so many others: the immense potential and promise in these young lives that ended too soon.
“It wasn’t the length of life we wanted for him, but he lived it fully,” Mordechai said.
It may be that Aviel was one of the last to give their lives in this brutal war that Israel has never wanted, as the ceasefire was announced the very day after the funeral.
The other four soldiers who died along with Aviel were: Capt. Yair Yaakov Shoshan, 23, from Ma’alot-Tarshiha; Staff Sgt. Yahav Hadar, 20, from Kfar Tavor; Staff Sgt. Guy Carmieli, 20, from Gedera; and Staff Sgt. Yoav Peffer, 19, from Herzliya.
