Today, he remains an active part of the IDF Education Corps and Rabbinate. His weapon today is his voice—used to uplift and unify a nation still facing threats.By World Israel News StaffAt 96 years old, Ezra Yachin holds the distinction of being Israel’s oldest active reservist in the IDF. His service spans over eight decades, beginning at age 15 when he joined the underground Lehi (Freedom Fighters for Israel) movement to fight the British occupation of the Land of Israel.Yachin joined the underground Lehi movement, also known as the Stern Gang, at just 15, fighting against British rule in Mandatory Palestine.His work was both covert and dangerous. Stationed at the Jerusalem post office, he secretly copied British military telegrams, feeding intelligence directly to Lehi’s command.He also participated in surveillance missions, tracking British police and officials as a member of Lehi’s Department 6, its intelligence branch.But Yachin wasn’t limited to espionage. He engaged in combat operations, targeted sabotage missions, and propaganda efforts. He helped spread Lehi’s anti-colonial messaging across Jerusalem, recruiting youth and encouraging Jewish resistance.His commitment came at a cost: Yachin was shot in the thigh during a mission to disarm British police and later sustained severe head injuries while attempting to breach Jerusalem’s Old City—an act that left him blind in one eye.His code name, Elnakam, was adopted after the torture and murder of fellow fighter Alexander Rubowitz at the hands of British officer Roy Farran, symbolizing Yachin’s vow for justice and remembrance.Yachin documented his experiences in his memoir Elnakam: Story of a Fighter for the Freedom of Israel, offering insight into the perilous fight for statehood and the personal toll it exacted.Promoted recently to Command Sergeant Major, Yachin also lit a ceremonial torch during Israel’s 76th Independence Day, hailed as a “symbol of victory of the spirit.”The IDF recalled Ezra Yachin following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks—not for combat, but to serve as a symbol of resilience and inspiration for younger soldiers.Today, he remains an active part of the IDF Education Corps and Rabbinate. His weapon today is his voice—used to uplift and unify a nation still facing threats.Yachin gives up to five speeches a week to battalions and students, sharing stories from Israel’s founding and the underground Lehi movement. He instills the “spirit of the underground,” reminding troops of the sacrifices made for Israel’s independence.Many senior officers heard him speak as recruits and want today’s soldiers to benefit from his legacy as a living link to history.In his own words: “If we still have an enemy, I have to be a fighter.”Yachin’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the Zionist cause.The post The IDF’s living legend – still serving at 96 appeared first on World Israel News.