yehuda his, an really state pathologist at the abu kabir institute in israel, there is there are reports

. >> reporter: yehuda shows the empty seat next to his in the yeshiva study hall where 19-year-old arieln a tank near gaza hit by a missile at the start of a war that's been devastatin for israelis and palestinians >> does this make you feel like you could be next >> i try to not think about that, because i could be, but it motivates me more. >> reporter: in this settlement in the occupied west bank ariel's, father, a rabbi, says his family sees serving in the israel's military is a religious duty. >> for us, this is the way to live the real religious life. >> reporter: he says he saw an awakening in his son as he served his nation. >> all the special things that he had inside flourished in a beautiful way, and this is how we remember him >> if you ask me if i would do it again, yeah, i would send him again and because this is our life and, yeah, this is what we have to do. >> reporter: josh lederman, nbc news, israel >>> we'll take a break then up next we'll meet an underdog teenage superstar. his quest to win in the world's biggest stage. an underdog teenage superstar. his quest to win