Chasdei Hashem: After 18 Hours without Water Missing Hiker Found Sound And Well

Great news from the Judean desert: After a long night of intense searching for the 22-year old avreich who disappeared yesterday while hiking with friends in the Judean desert. A patrol car spotted him on the side of the road sound and well.

As was previously reported in “Bechadrei Chareidim”, the group of five friends set out on a hike in the Nachal Og nature reserve in the Judean desert yesterday. In the late afternoon hours, the group ran out of their water supply and two members including the missing avreich volunteered to go ahead and seek help. Unfortunately, after parting from his friends he couldn’t find help nor retrace his steps back to the group.

A preliminary investigation reveals that the avreich parted from his friends at around 4:00 pm yesterday in an attempt to find help. After walking for some time, he realized he was lost and could not find his way out of the reserve. He then scaled a high mount peak where he spotted a search and rescue chopper combing the area in search of him. Despite making desperate attempts to alert the chopper, he wasn’t noticed by the crew. The avreich continued moving forward, and at some point after darkness fell dozed off for a couple of hours.

When he awoke he continued trekking until he arrived at the ‘Nabi Musa’ army base north of Yam Hamelach.

The avreich called out to the soldiers in the base for help, but did not receive a reply since they couldn’t hear him from in the base. Tired and exhausted he fell asleep on the side of the road and was spotted a few minutes later by a patrol car that was out searching for him.

Although he was without water for 18 hours in the hot Judean desert, he was B’’H found up sound and well.

The avreich R’ Yisroel Cohen thanked everyone and said, “I thank the Ribono shel olam that he sent you. Somehow after 18 hours without water I got to the army base. Thanks for everyone, you were with me all night, I felt it, I knew you are looking for me, it was a hard night, a night that I couldn’t sleep and I knew that I still have a way to go. Every flare gave me more strength, you guys were great, it cost you a lot of money and even more it cost tremendous energy, but it was all worth it every action that each and every one did”.

The search and rescue teams thanked the ZAKA commander of the Yerushalayin district, Bentzi Oreng and the commander of the Beitar Illit district, Moishe Holzsman who spent the entire night at the scene. As well they thanked the ‘Megilot rescue unit’ and all the volunteers who participated for many long hours in the search.


As previously reported, throughout the night special tefillos were held at the Kosel and kever Rachel for the safe return of the avreich.

By Translate by Eli B.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!