A Mezuzah on the Door That Survived an Iranian Missile: Soroka Hospital's Ceremony of Gratitude

On the morning of June 19, 2025, a ballistic missile fired by Iran struck Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva. It is the only major hospital serving southern Israel and over one million people in the Negev. The building that was hit had been evacuated of patients just hours before impact. No lives were lost.

In the weeks that followed, the hospital gathered to give thanks. The ceremony they held was called "In the Merit of the Mezuzah."

You can watch footage of the ceremony in reels shared by StandWithUs that have circulated widely across Jewish social media.

How Soroka Hospital Responded to an Iranian Missile Strike With a Mezuzah Affixing Ceremony in Be'er Sheva

In the early hours of June 19, 2025, Iran launched a ballistic missile that struck Soroka Medical Center. It is the only major hospital for southern Israel, located in Be'er Sheva and serving over one million people across the Negev region. A floor at Soroka that was hit had been evacuated of patients only the day before, amid the war. The missile slammed into the hospital's surgical ward, injuring more than 80 people and destroying eight operating rooms along with six research laboratories. That no one was killed in the direct strike was described by medical staff and observers worldwide as nothing short of miraculous.

The lack of fatalities was attributed to Soroka's leadership, which had placed the hospital on high alert and activated emergency protocols developed over years of operating under threat.

The gratitude ceremony that followed was led by Dr. Uri Rubio, Director of Internal Medicine, and Chief Rabbi Uziel Edri of Soroka Medical Center. A special Birkat HaGomel and Mizmor L'Todah ceremony took place alongside the affixing of a new mezuzah. The mezuzot that had been installed shortly before the missile strike were later removed and preserved. They were honored as a key part of what participants called "the great miracle." A new mezuzah was placed at the entrance to the department that was hit, accompanied by prayers of deep gratitude and faith.

The gathering included Israelis, Jews, and non-Jews alike. They offered prayers of thanks and wished one another success in all that takes place within the hospital's walls.

What It Means to Affix a Mezuzah on a Building That Survived

The mezuzah placed on Soroka's damaged doorpost was not a statement of politics or defiance. It was a statement of faith. The words of the Shema inscribed on the scroll inside are the same words that have marked every Jewish threshold for thousands of years. They declare Hashem's presence and unity, and affirm that what happens inside those walls is held to something higher.

The Sages teach that a mezuzah carries with it the promise of protection for those who dwell within. The ceremony at Soroka took place at the entrance of a department that had been struck by a missile only weeks earlier. Staff members who had been present that morning stood there again. The moment expressed a belief that remained steady and unshaken.

The Scroll That Goes Up After the Smoke Clears

A mezuzah affixed in the aftermath of destruction carries particular weight. It declares that the space will continue to serve a sacred purpose. In Soroka's case, that purpose is healing. It also affirms that those who enter and leave do so under the protection of Hashem's name.

As always, the mitzvah rests on the scroll inside. It must be written by a certified sofer, on proper klaf, and carefully checked to ensure it is valid according to halacha. Kosher Mezuzah offers OU-endorsed scrolls written by certified soferim and double-checked by expert magihim. Each scroll includes full traceability through a unique QR code. This ensures that when a mezuzah is affixed, the mitzvah it carries is complete.

Am Yisrael Chai: Written on the Doorpost

Soroka Medical Center has treated over 4,400 casualties since October 7, 2023, including more than 3,300 wounded soldiers. A missile attempted to destroy it. Within weeks, its staff stood together at the damaged entrance, recited Birkat HaGomel, and affixed a mezuzah.

That is the Jewish response to destruction. Not silence. Not retreat. A mezuzah on the doorpost, with the words of the Shema facing forward.

The mezuzah at Soroka's damaged entrance stands as a symbol of what the mitzvah has always meant. It is faith declared openly, even in the most difficult moments. If this story moves you to place a mezuzah in your own home, do it with a scroll that is properly prepared. Kosher Mezuzah provides OU-endorsed scrolls written and checked by certified experts. Place a kosher mezuzah scroll on your doorpost with confidence.