Yehuda was born and raised in the settlement of Shadmot Mehola, the son of Dov and Tehila and one of seven siblings.
From a young age, Yehuda worked in the dairy farm, played basketball and chess, and was an avid reader of philosophical works, research books, history, and military heritage.
In high school, he studied at the Hesder Yeshiva in Hispin, and afterward spent a year at the pre-military academy in Ali.
Fueled by the Torah he encountered at home and in the study halls, and with a deep sense of mission and connection to the chain of generations of the Jewish people, Yehuda enlisted in the IDF’s Givati reconnaissance unit (Sayeret Givati). He advanced through the command track and became a respected commander, leading his soldiers with courage and humility, while demonstrating sensitivity and care for each and every one of them. His final position was commander of the combat engineering platoon in the Givati reconnaissance unit.
On Simchat Torah 5784 (October 7, 2023), Yehuda was at home in Shadmot Mehola. As soon as he understood that events were unfolding in the south, he rushed to action.
The last word Yehuda said to his father before they parted that morning was: “Pray.”
During his drive south, Yehuda — a natural strategist — organized and arranged his fighting force to rapidly gather at assembly points.
Yehuda and his soldiers fought heroically in Nahal Oz, rescuing many families and clearing the kibbutz of terrorists.
Three weeks later, Yehuda and his soldiers entered combat in the northern Gaza Strip.
After about a week of fierce fighting, during which he amazed even the reconnaissance battalion commander and fellow platoon leaders with his strength and precision in planning the battles, the unit took up positions inside buildings.
On Friday, the 19th of Cheshvan (November 3, 2023), Yehuda, together with three soldiers, was sent under orders from his commander to investigate a suspected location.
Upon entering a building, Yehuda and his men spotted a large group of heavily armed terrorists who were preparing to attack the nearby building where their comrades were stationed.
Yehuda did not hesitate; he opened fire and eliminated many terrorists in what became his final battle.
He was struck by enemy fire. Even after being wounded, Yehuda managed to report over the radio that he had been hit and gave precise coordinates to direct reinforcements, thereby saving the lives of the entire company.
In his life and in his death, Yehuda saved many lives — of both Israeli civilians and soldiers of the Givati Brigade’s reconnaissance unit.
Yehuda was a remarkable person, a unique blend of qualities:
A deep thinker and philosopher alongside the practical prowess of an outstanding warrior.
He engaged in discussions about fundamental issues in Israeli society while joyfully playing silly games with his little nieces and nephews.
He constantly asked, questioned, and never stopped building his character, even as he commanded and carried tremendous responsibility for his soldiers in an inspiring way.
The command feedback Yehuda received often noted, “You don’t maintain enough distance,” — because that’s who he was: simple, connected to his soldiers, feeling part of them — yet at the same time leading, educating, and inspiring them to follow him into battle.
Yehuda, a man of faith in a world of action, merited to appreciate the privilege of living in a generation of redemption in the Land of Israel — and was laid to rest in its soil.
