An Inspiration in my Life
Avi Billet

I spent two years studying in Yeshivat Har Etzion and in that time, I don't think I had more than two conversations with HaRav Amital. But I can't express to you how much HaRav Amital was and remains an inspiration in my life.

Whether it is from the stories others tell about him - how in a world of Roshei Yeshiva who too often forget that all their Torah and leadership is not about them, Rav Amital knew that it was never about him. It was always about the Torah and Am Yisrael, and about all the individuals whose lives he could impact for the better. In this day and age, that is rare, a blessing, and is always admirable - a person who is humble enough not to think highly of himself, but aware enough to know that his opinion and the things he says matter, and that people look to him for guidance.

His tefillah on Rosh Hashana and especially Yom Kippur, as you know from everyone else, remains an inspiration to me. No place and no Baal Tefillah has measured up to the sincerity and the depth of feeling Rav Amital brought to those Holy Days. When I try to explain to people who were never there, they can't understand. One had to be there. One year, my seat was right next to wear Rav Amital stood, and I felt as if he was spending that day helping me through the tefillah. It is an experience I will not forget.

Between his shiurim and his sichot and the times he spent with the Chutznikim answering the questions we posed to him, he gave us a model to look to, to laugh with, to sing with, and to learn from.

He was a special man, with an almost ever-present smile, who leaves the world a better place, but who leaves a vacuum that can not be filled.

Am Yisrael needs more Jews like Rav Amital. I am saddened that he can no longer personally show us how to learn from him.

May his memory live on and be a blessing to all.

תהא נשמתו צרורה בצרור החיים

Avi Billet