JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In a tragic accident which occurred in the Yitav (Uja) Stream in the southern Jordan Valley, Rabbi Binyamin Praga (44), an Avreich from Modiin Illit, died of dehydration during a family trip.
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Rabbi Praga had accompanied his father, Rav Yerucham Praga, and some of his children on the trip. During the course of the trip his father did not feel well and Rabbi Binyamin hurried with his children to try and summon assistance, as he did not have cellphone reception in the stream.
Unfortunately, Rabbi Binyamin himself collapsed from dehydration and exhaustion and his children hurried on to try and get help. Some of the children got lost on the trail and others who managed to get out called rescue workers. About 100 volunteers rushed to the scene, assisted by a military helicopter, a police chopper and members of the Megilot rescue unit.
The first member found was the grandfather, who was in light condition. Two other children aged 12-13 were found in the wadi and said that they had left their father in bad condition to try and get help.
Only at 1 AM Rabbi Prage was located lifeless by volunteers who had searched the entire river bed and he was declared dead by a doctor from the rescue unit.
Rabbi Praga z’l served as an educator at the Midrash Meir Talmud Torah in Modiin Illit. He was described by associates as “A refined and special person, a real man of education. It is unfathomable that he, a person who was so responsible and thoughtful, could have had this happen.”
Unfortunately this is not the first tragedy the family has suffered. Rav Binyamin’s brother Dovid died at age sixteen during a trip in the Yehudiya stream in the Golan heights 24 years ago. Last year in the month of Av, a nephew of Rav Binyamin died in a swimming pool accident at the age of one.
Rabbi Praga’s levaya will be at 1:30 PM from Shamgar in Jerusalem to Har Hamenuchos.
It should be noted that the Nature Reserves Authority has warned not to enter the Yitav stream during intensely hot days (temperatures Tuesday in the Jordan Valley were over 40ºC or 104ºF). The commander of the rescue team said that in order to take a trip in searing temperatures in the desert, one needs 5 liters of water per person, good shoes, a hat, long clothes and acquaintance with the region and route, as well as informing an external person about when the trip is due to end.”
Baruch Dayan Ha’emes
People don’t realize just how much water one needs on a hot day. It’s very sad that this led to a terrible tragedy.
Sometimes it seems that the more young children a man has, the more likely he is to suddenly die while still young.
We cannot be sure why someone dies. There appear in this case to be some ruchinyus factors involved …. In general, however: One liter per hour (5 litres in 5 hours) is the minimum I recommend … you simply don’t realize how much water you lose in such temperatures…you may not eben feel you need to drink but you should drink anyway… wearing black clothing, an undershirt plus thick wool tzitzis under a white shirt, and maybe a black suit jacket, all add significantly to the potential for head exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be fatal. Chacham einav b’rosho. Eizehu chacham, ha’roeh as ha’nolad.
I can’t help but wonder every summer when this happens whether 2 things are responsible.
1. A lack of secular education in science areas that at least teaches one to look into issues before they arise & it’s too late.
2. A disdain & complete lack of respect for the “Non-Haimish” I remember a few years back some Charedi adult men drowned at a beach that had “No Swimming” signs (because signs are for Goyim) & if you know a little science you know going into the ocean at night is a literal death sentence. Or hiking difficult terrain in “Shabbos Shoes” because that’s how a Yid dresses 24/7 (except Y”K & 9 Av)
Go to a “Heimish” area & offer free courses on hiking or boating safety & see how many Charedim attend. We have a culture where anything resembling secular education or “Modernisha” is taboo more from a cultural angle than a Halachic one.
Hopefully it’ll change for the better with the next generations & we’ll see fewer deaths each summer.