JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Instagram account “Smiling Soldiers” published a photo of Chabad campus emissary Rabbi Liraz Zeira, who was seriously wounded in Syria, putting tefillin on a man in the street. The special photo was taken by photographer Menachem Geisinsky, who captured the moment near the Chabad House managed by Rabbi Zeira.

Alongside the image, a post was published that garnered strong reactions on social media. It read:

“Even after losing both his legs in a landmine explosion in southern Syria while serving as a reserve major in the IDF, Rabbi Liraz Zeira refuses to surrender to darkness. As a devoted Chabad rabbi on the Jerusalem college campuses, he continues to encourage students and spread joy, Torah, and Hasidic warmth to everyone around him.

A father of five, a combat soldier, and a true messenger of goodness, he shows the world that no challenge can stop a burning soul with a purpose. He still dances with his heart and leads with courage, inspiring all of us to bring more light into the world. A true hero.”

Major (res.) Rabbi Liraz Zeira, 42, was seriously wounded in a landmine explosion in southern Syria and lost both his legs after hundreds of reserve duty days during the war. He underwent a long rehabilitation process,  and throughout it all, he continued his emissary work, to which he returned full-time several months ago.