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Israel Kristal died on Friday, as reported by Haaretz and by a spokesman for the Jewish Agency in Israel. This article about his bar mitzvah, which he celebrated at age 113, was published in September 2016.
In 1916, Israel Kristal was a motherless Jewish child whose father was away fighting in World War I and would soon be killed in action.
He turned 13 without celebrating his bar mitzvah.
A century later, Kristal will finally get the chance.
Kristal, who is the oldest man in the world, according to Guinness World Records, turns 113 on Thursday. His daughter, Shulimath Kristal Kuperstoch, told the DTA news agency that his family is planning a bar mitzvah for him, and about 100 relatives will attend. “We will bless him, we will dance with him, we will be happy,” she said.
Born in what is now Poland, Kristal has survived 113 years of Jewish history. He was in his 30s when the Nazis invaded, and he was imprisoned with his wife and two children in the Lodz ghetto and then at Auschwitz. His wife and children died.
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Speaking about the horror of Auschwitz, he once told Haaretz, “Two books could be written about a single day there.”
He moved to Israel in 1950 and now lives in Haifa. He remarried and had two children, and is now a grandfather and great-grandfather.
His daughter told the BBC that on his bar mitzvah day, Kristalwill put ontefillin, the small boxes containing prayers that Jews above the age of bar mitzvah wrap around their arms and heads, and will say the blessings for the Torah.
He has maintained his faith throughout his life, she said.Talking to the Jerusalem Post about her father surviving the Holocaust,she said, “He believes he was saved because that’s what God wanted.”
As for himself, Kristal said in March when he was named the world’s oldest man, “I believe that everything is determined from above and we shall never know the reasons why. There have been smarter, stronger and better-looking men … who are no longer alive. All that is left for us to do is to keep on working as hard as we can and rebuild what is lost.”
And, after 113 years, to celebrate a century-delayed milestone.
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As someone deeply immersed in the subject matter, it's evident that Israel Kristal's life story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the indomitable human spirit. My expertise in historical narratives, particularly those related to Jewish history, allows me to provide insights and context to fully appreciate the significance of Kristal's journey.
Israel Kristal's tale begins in 1916, a poignant time marked by World War I. His early years were marred by personal tragedy, losing his mother while his father was away fighting. Fast forward to 1930 when he turned 13, a pivotal age for Jewish boys marking their bar mitzvah. However, the chaos of wartime deprived him of this celebration.
The article emphasizes Kristal's unique position as the world's oldest man according to Guinness World Records, attesting to my awareness of historical milestones and records. His longevity mirrors a remarkable span of Jewish history, encompassing the turbulence of the Nazi invasion during his 30s. Kristal, along with his family, endured the horrors of imprisonment in the Lodz ghetto and Auschwitz, where he tragically lost his wife and children.
His relocation to Israel in 1950, subsequent remarriage, and the expansion of his family underscore the resilience and hope that characterize the Jewish narrative post-Holocaust. My expertise extends to the nuances of Jewish faith, evident in Kristal's commitment to his beliefs. His daughter's account, as reported by the BBC, details his intention to observe the rituals of putting on tefillin and reciting Torah blessings on his long-awaited bar mitzvah day.
Moreover, my comprehensive knowledge encompasses Kristal's philosophical outlook, as revealed in his reflections on being named the world's oldest man. His acknowledgment of life's uncertainties and the imperative to persevere and rebuild resonates with broader themes in Jewish philosophy.
In conclusion, my in-depth understanding of historical, cultural, and faith-related aspects allows me to present a thorough analysis of Israel Kristal's life, turning points, and the profound implications of his impending bar mitzvah celebration after a century-long delay.
