Beyond the Headlines: Have you heard Elkana Levi’s speech? - opinion

A year after sustaining severe injuries in Khan Yunis, Golani Brigade officer Elkana Levi delivered a deeply moving 40-minute speech at a thanksgiving celebration marking his recovery. Levi, who lost both legs in the conflict, stood on prosthetic limbs as he shared his perspective on life, gratitude, and resilience.

“

Exactly one year ago today, I was blown up. Exactly one year ago today, I had no idea how much goodness there was in this world.

Levi began by reflecting on the exact anniversary of his injury, stating, "Exactly one year ago today, I was blown up. Exactly one year ago today, I had no idea how much goodness there was in this world." He then proceeded to detail the "extraordinary people" who cared for him at Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva. He described his experience there as feeling like "summer camp, with the best staff in the world," where every person and every experience left him with good memories.

“

I will never have the words to thank the extraordinary people who cared for me at Soroka Hospital, from the doctors to the orderlies. I felt as though I were at summer camp, with the best staff in the world. Every person there, every experience there, is a good memory for me.

"At Soroka, I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was a picture that children from a kindergarten had sent me. From that moment on, I have felt embraced," Levi recounted. Despite his physical loss, he conveyed a sense of profound inner expansion, stating, "I have no legs, but it’s hard to explain how much my heart has expanded. My happiness doesn’t depend on the number of steps I can take." His words resonated deeply with the audience, who applauded numerous times throughout his address.

“

At Soroka, I opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was a picture that children from a kindergarten had sent me. From that moment on, I have felt embraced. I have no legs, but it’s hard to explain how much my heart has expanded. My happiness doesn’t depend on the number of steps I can take.

While celebrating his recovery, Levi did not shy away from acknowledging the immense pain and challenges he has faced. He spoke about friends who were killed and his darkest moments. He touched upon the difficulty of being understood, questioning how others could grasp the realities of living with prosthetics, the awkwardness of movement, or the feeling of being constantly in the spotlight. Throughout his speech, he drew parallels with spiritual teachings, quoting the prophet Isaiah's messages of peace and hope, and expressing his belief in continued "salvation" and "tremendous kindness."

“

Isaiah teaches us that God has thoughts of peace and hope for all of us. That He will comfort us. He says: ‘You shall draw water with joy from the wells of salvation.’ I feel surrounded by tremendous kindness and deliverance, and I believe there are many more salvations still ahead.