‘We came into the world to do good’: The story of Sgt. 1st Class (res.) Nir Hadad
Sgt. 1st Class Nir Hadad used the words “good, clean and pure” to define the purpose of existence. Nir, an armored corps fighter in the 401st Brigade, did not merely speak about values. He lived them at every moment, until he fell in a heroic battle defending his homeland. He died at 28 after being critically wounded in battle in the Gaza Strip.
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The boy who wanted to bring joy
Nir’s story begins in a home filled with joy, despite the early loss of his father when he was just 7.5. His mother, Tzvia, describes a boy with an extraordinary joy for life, who always made sure the home remained a place of light. His brother, Aviram, recalls a regular gesture that became a symbol of his sensitivity: “Every Friday, he would pick flowers on the boulevard near the house and bring them to Mom, to fill her heart with joy.”
Even as a child, he showed a strong sense of justice. In fifth grade, when his classmates declared a boycott of one student, Nir was the only one who refused to take part. The price was heavy: The boycott was turned against him, but Nir was not deterred. His inner integrity was stronger than any social pressure.
A ‘panther’ in service and in life
Nir loved life with all his heart. He was a “panther,” as his brother describes him: He loved good food, dancing and making the most of every moment. During his military service, he flourished as an outstanding tank commander in the 401st Brigade. He combined the world of action with the world of spirit, studying in a yeshiva, serving in the IDF and returning to his studies, always surrounded by friends and people who sought his presence.
About seven years ago, he met Chen, his wife. “Within three months, we understood this was it,” she says. Nir became an exceptionally devoted family man, a proud father to his daughters. His family was the center of his world, and he did everything he could to be present in their lives.
The volunteering and final sacrifice
When the war broke out, Nir was not required to report for duty. He was exempt from reserve service, but his sense of mission and pride as a tank commander led him to volunteer to return to service. “I told him I preferred that he stay home,” Chen recalls, but Nir felt he had to be there.
In June 2024, during a mission on the Netzarim Corridor, Nir’s tank hit an explosive device. His injuries were severe, but in the first weeks at Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, there was still a spirit of hope. Nir fought for his life for months, with his wife and daughters by his side. “I explained to the girls that Dad was very sick but would come home,” Chen says painfully. After a period of slight improvement, his condition deteriorated because of a serious infection. On the eve of Rosh Hashana, the time when renewal is meant to be celebrated, his heart fell silent.
His legacy: good, clean and pure
Nir left a vast void, but also a clear spiritual testament. His brother quotes the sentence that accompanied Nir: “We came into the world to do good. Not partial good, not good to receive a reward, but good that is clean and pure.”
Chen, his widow, seeks to instill in their daughters the values they absorbed from their father without the need for words: integrity, love of others and uncompromising honesty. Nir Hadad, of blessed memory, fell a hero, but he will be remembered above all as a man of light, family and pure kindness, whose very presence made the world a better place.
Sgt. 1st Class Nir Hadad, of blessed memory, Armored Corps, fell on October 6, 2024. He was 28.
May his memory be a blessing.
Sergeant First Class
Nir Hadad