The names of Israeli soldiers who were killed from the start of the Yom Kippur War through Feb. 12 will be compiled in a “Sefer Hakedoshim,” book of the fallen, to be published within three weeks. The “Sefer Hakedoshim” had been previously used in Central and Eastern Europe by Jewish communities after a pogrom. This is the first time such a booklet is being issued in Israel. Up to now the names were listed in newspapers. But some argued that newspapers were not the proper place since they are used for packing or wrapping or Just thrown away.
After sending a questionnaire to the bereaved families it was decided to print the names in a booklet which will be available at post offices, public institutions, libraries and Israeli missions abroad. The booklet will include names of 2328 soldiers killed. Only 32 families have asked that their fallen relatives not be published in the booklet.
There will be also a list of 126 missing soldiers on the southern front (18 families of MIAs have requested they not be listed). The soldiers missing on the Syrian front will not be included. There are 80 MIAs on the Syrian front who are presumably held by Syrians as POWs. The 130 page booklet is preceded by an official army condolence, the prayer of “Yizkor” and the “Kinat David” (when Saul and Jonathan fell on the battle front).
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