Killed in the Act of Saving Lives
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Question
Peace and blessings, I wanted to ask, at what level is the soul of a person who was accidentally shot by the IDF while trying to prevent a terrorist attack? G-d forbid to cast doubt, but what is the purpose of such an event? Thank you very much.
Answer
Hello,
It is difficult to answer the question 'at what level is the soul', because a living person cannot comprehend the level at which souls reside.
However, it is clear from the words of our Sages that a person who sacrificed his life to save Jews from death receives immense reward.
As stated in the Talmud (Pesachim 50): 'Those executed by the government, no one can stand in their presence'. This means their souls are at a very high level, inaccessible to other people. Rashi explains that this refers to the 'martyrs of Lod', two brothers who sacrificed their lives to save Israel from a decree.
Therefore, it is clear that a person who went out to shoot armed terrorists and risked his life with a genuine desire to protect Jews, and was thus killed, 'no one can stand in his presence'.
Source
Pesachim 50 and see Taanit 18.