The 21-year-old yeshiva bochur who was pulled from the water after drowning at a Netanya beach on Friday afternoon has died after a prolonged struggle for his life, while search efforts continue for his brother who remains missing.

Yissachar Dov (Dovy) Spiegel was hospitalized in critical condition at Laniado Hospital following the incident at the city’s separate beach on Erev Shabbos. Shortly after midnight tonight, he passed away while family members were at his side reciting viduy.

The tragedy unfolded during a bein hazmanim getaway, when the family traveled to Netanya for Shabbos. Dovy and his brother, Avraham Yeshayahu—who is still unaccounted for—entered the sea to immerse in honor of Shabbos. Dovy was later rescued in life-threatening condition, while his brother has yet to be found.

Dovy, 21, was born on the 9th of Teves 5765 to his father, Rav Shlomo Spiegel, who heads the Spiegel chaburah in the Beis Yisrael neighborhood of Yerushalayim. He was a grandson of the veteran chareidi journalist and author Rabbi Yisrael Spiegel z”l, and the son of Mrs. Shoshana Spiegel, an educator at the Rabi Meir Seminary in Modiin Illit. On his mother’s side, he was a grandson of Rav Moshe Yosef Militzky zt”l, one of the senior dayanim of Yerushalayim, and a nephew of Rav Chaikel Militzky, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Rashi.

In his youth, Dovy studied at Talmud Torah Shira Chadasha in Ramat Shlomo, later transferring in eighth grade to Chavas Daas. He continued his limudim at Yeshivas Ohr Shmuel L’Tzeirim, and then learned at Yeshivas Tushiya in Tifrach, where he developed a close bond with the roshei yeshiva, including Rav Avraham Piltz and Rav Moshe Ben Menachem.

This past summer, he advanced from the fifth-year shiur in Tifrach to continue learning at Yeshivas Keter Torah in Kiryat Ye’arim (Telz-Stone).

Friends from the yeshiva described him as an exceptional ben Torah who was widely respected in Tifrach. They said he was deeply dedicated to his learning, constantly striving and growing, and served as a central pillar in the beis medrash. “It was always a pleasure to be around him,” one friend said.

Another friend added that his tefillos were exemplary, describing him as a well-rounded boy who excelled in all areas. He noted that Dovy was always punctual and dependable. “I was his chavrusa—he was always on time waiting for me; I was never waiting for him,” he said, adding that he was thoughtful and deeply caring toward others.

A former classmate from Yeshivas Ohr Shmuel said the staff consistently relied on him, entrusting him with responsibilities due to his maturity and reliability.

Throughout the past days, the Torah world davened for his recovery, but to the profound sorrow of all, he succumbed to his injuries.

He is survived by his parents, siblings, and many friends who are devastated by the loss.

Umacha Hashem dimah me’al kol ponim.

{Matzav.com}