I learned a new Hebrew word last month - a BITZUIST. One of those beautiful gems of modern Hebrew slang that so perfectly hits the concept on the head. A DOER - one who doesn't talk talk talk talk - but rather, one who does. My cousin Benji Hillman hy"d was a bitzuist. He was not a talker. He was a doer. He was shy. He was modest. He didn't talk about what he did,ever.

He didn't brag about his achievements-ever. I am not sure if Benji liked to do what he had to do, but I know that he did it. He did it because he knew it had to be done. He loved the Jewish People. He loved Israel. He heard his calling and grew to become what it takes to get the job done. From the start he did what he did with excellence, which is why he rose so quickly through the ranks. That's why he was a company commander in one of Israels most elite commando units. That's why he led his men from the front in the first IDF foot incursion to attempt to rout out the Hizbollah terrorists in Lebanon last week. That's why his men loved him and followed him. That's why his wife of only three weeks, his parents, his siblings and all the Jewish People mourn his so tragic, painful loss this week.

We need people like Benji. We need people who look around at the world, see the gaps and get up and do. We need thinking men of principle who don't just do blindly and without thinking. We need leaders who lead from the front and with principle. His men, both superiors and charges knew what his convictions were. He didn't need to shout about them. They heard what they needed to hear. We need people who do more than they talk. We need Jews who, because they listen, they hear. They understand that "Shema Yisrael-Hear oh Israel" means precisely that. To listen. The most powerful words of Am Yisrael start with one simple word-shema-to listen. Listen to that quiet, determined still small voice inside you. Then listen to the voice of Israel. Only then, and only perhaps, enjoin them to hear you.

What are Yisrael, the Jewish People saying? What are they crying out for? That's why when a Benji talked, when a Benjy commanded his soldiers - it wasn't talk - it was doing. It was leading, by example. That's why they listened and that's why we listen now.

When I heard Danny speak at his son's military funeral in Israel on Friday - with the utmost clarity, conviction, pride and courage - I knew that this was a man of Shema Yisrael. This was a man who, along with his wife Judy, had heard their own Shema Yisrael 30 years ago and listened to it. Everything they did together, they did with the utmost honesty, sincerity and modesty.

We sometimes think Shema Yisrael means to cry out as loudly as possible so that others can hear us. "Listen to me. I'm telling you. This is the way it should be." And then we wonder why no one is listening. Judy and Danny are doers - not talkers. They chose not to pay lip service to Israel, but to "do Israel." They chose not to talk about Jewish education, but to do it - for themselves, for their children and for others. They chose not to talk about getting things done in the Jewish community, back in Kingsbury London, and today too in the community of Raanana Israel. And this is the way in which they taught their children Abi, Benji and Shimon.

By listening to others and by doing. They taught them by example. By example of listening to what is right and wrong and then getting up and living by it. By understanding that education, values, the future of ones family are more eternal than quick ascendancy to business success without the former. By having the courage, conviction and confidence to give up some of those often elusive and transient comforts that never bring true happiness and fulfillment, for the sake of more lasting and eternal investments. And by always doing more than talking.

Danny spoke at the funeral on Friday. He stated candidly how he hates speaking, especially in public. But Danny knew what he had to do. Such is the power of Jews who understand Shema Yisrael-that when they speak, eveyone listens. He knew this was a time to speak. He spoke to Benji, he spoke to the government and leaders of Israel, he spoke to God and he spoke to the hearts of every single one of us. He spoke with his usual unassuming modesty. In his heart he was and is so heartwrenchingly torn and broken and yet he spoke with towering strength and power. He spoke with an uncanny depth of belief and trust. He led us all in the deepest prayer. He led us all in the deepest hope. I hope I was listening.....

N Schiff