"This is the simple reason I joined the IDF. But there’s an even simpler reason: By joining the army, I’m joining the Jewish nation. To belong to the Jewish nation, I can’t just perform a bunch of rituals perfectly. Being part of a nation means expanding my sense of self."
kol hakavod and baruch haba... we need you and appreciate your service... shabbat shalom
Your stories of Victory are exactly what is needed. I add that we in the Diaspora also serve. Because of the work I do monitoring Nazis here, I live with the daily threat of being murdered by Nazis who are being protected by Elements of the State here in Europe: this is Frightening and exhausting. But in reporting Nazis who have tried to infiltrate The State, everyone is safer. Thus we continue.
What I would also like to say, Rabbi, is that our monitoring of The Nazi Party, which has now re-formed in parts of Europe, is work which keeps non-Jews and Jews alike safe. For The Nazis threaten everyone as they did from 1933.
A lot of people are being sucked into Nazism here in Europe. I pray every night in my own way, Sir. ‘There are no atheists at the Front’. Very different from the man I was in my younger days. Many thanks and we pray for you too.
Thank you very much! We need those prayers. As you know, the level of hatred of Jews and of Israel on the woke left and the woke right and among "Christian" antisemites is very high. We will do our very best to fight back against it.
Here is what to remember in the response to this, when you speak to your Friends and your followers: The Nazis were and are Psychopaths. They actually threaten EVERYONE, and threaten Freedom. History shows that Hitler killed 50 MILLION white people in war. Far from being a friend of white, he and the Nazis let out the Darkside of Human Nature which then murdered millions. We have monitored plans for the same again in both Developed and Developing countries. So Heed the warning. Best wishes Christian Zionist. Dan in Europe.
👏👏👏🇮🇱🫡✡️🕎 Thank you for this wonderful article and your service, Rabbi! You and your comrades in arms the men and women of the IDF are fighting to protect western civilization. We are all in your debt. Not just the Israeli people but all the people in world are protected by you and your comrades in arms as you fight a genocidal terrorist group intent on building a global caliphate. Israel is the first line of defense against Islamist demons. The men and women of the IDF like yourself are heroes of the highest order who we owe a debt that can never be paid off! You are fighting to protect your country, bring ALL the hostages living and dead home and destroy Hamas once and for all. For the most part, you and your comrades have accomplished these goals. You’ve fought with unparalleled courage on the battlefield. Your exploits on the ground in Gaza dangerous and traumatizing as they are, would make you ancestors proud.
This American Lutheran says God Bless, watch over and protect you all, Jew and Arab, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Druze, white passing, black, brown, yellow, and red, secular and religious, male and female, straight and gay, able-bodied and disabled, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi! 🙏 I’m praying for each and every one of you to come home safely and for this war to be over as soon as possible! The Israeli people are can sleep safely and soundly tonight and most of the people of Gaza are free because of you! Millions of Israeli and Palestinian lives have been saved because of men like you! My family here in the United States is safe because of you! My co-workers at work are safe because of you! October 7th must NEVER happen again! Hamas-ISIS must be erdicated and reduced to a fifth-rate, two bit outfit that couldn’t conquer a hot dog stand. Their well on their way toward that thanks to you modern day Maccabees! Theodor Herzl, Chaim Weizmann, David Ben-Gurion, and Vladimir Jabotinsky are looking down from Heaven and are their eyes are selling up with tears of joy and pride!
The Jewish State they dreamed of decades if not centuries ago, is now a reality. Now when Jews are attacked they strike back fast and hard. Hamas didn’t know what hit them. The women of the IDF who get their courage from their mothers and grandmothers who survived the Holocaust and the two intifadas, unleashed the fury of h*** on Hamas which they had coming to them, and avenged their sisters who Hamas sexually assaulted, raped and murdered. Maya and Itay Regev, Mia Schem, Noa Argamani, Eli Sharabi, Alon Ohel, and all the other living hostages showed us what courage and the amazing power of the power spirit truly is!
Don't know if there is an equivalent in Hebrew but this reminds me of Duty, Honor, Country in the US Army in which I served 8 years in the '70's. As a former soldier I appreciate the Rabbi's willingness to serve HIS country. Shabbat shalom, Rabbi from a US Catholic.
I just forwarded an article I read to my Jewish friends that encouraged Jews in America to learn physical self-defense. Regardless of our age or how observant we are we all can build up our bodies and harden ourselves so that we can and then stand up to our enemies.
What a beautiful read. Thank you for every single thing. This piece lifted my soul.
So inspiring! Thank you for writing this! Shabbat shalom!
Thank you for the appreciation!
100%
Wow, I'm so grateful this resonated with you.
May Hashem bless, watch over, protect you always AMEN 🙏🇮🇱
Toda Raba for your dedicated courageous resilience, heroism, actively serving in the IDF🙏✡️🎗🫶🫶🇮🇱❤️
Shabbat Shalom blessings 🙏 ✡️ 🕯🕯🇮🇱🫶❤️
Such a hearty, nourishing read. Thank you for your service
Thank you!
I am grateful for you and for all of your ultra-Orthodox colleagues who are helping to keep our precious Israel from further harm.
Thank you for the appreciation!
What a beautiful guest essay! It was a privilege and honor to read such a well-written and thoughtful piece.
Thank you immensely for your service and protecting our people and our land. You are a hero to our nation. 🙏🏽
This was the line that should be immortalized...
"This is the simple reason I joined the IDF. But there’s an even simpler reason: By joining the army, I’m joining the Jewish nation. To belong to the Jewish nation, I can’t just perform a bunch of rituals perfectly. Being part of a nation means expanding my sense of self."
kol hakavod and baruch haba... we need you and appreciate your service... shabbat shalom
Thank you, I appreciate your appreciation.
Your stories of Victory are exactly what is needed. I add that we in the Diaspora also serve. Because of the work I do monitoring Nazis here, I live with the daily threat of being murdered by Nazis who are being protected by Elements of the State here in Europe: this is Frightening and exhausting. But in reporting Nazis who have tried to infiltrate The State, everyone is safer. Thus we continue.
Thank you for your invaluable work!
Thank you too. These are actually stories of success, which will one day be told. Best wishes.
Amen!
What I would also like to say, Rabbi, is that our monitoring of The Nazi Party, which has now re-formed in parts of Europe, is work which keeps non-Jews and Jews alike safe. For The Nazis threaten everyone as they did from 1933.
Prayers for continued protection and safety for you in your important work. 🙏
A lot of people are being sucked into Nazism here in Europe. I pray every night in my own way, Sir. ‘There are no atheists at the Front’. Very different from the man I was in my younger days. Many thanks and we pray for you too.
Thank you very much! We need those prayers. As you know, the level of hatred of Jews and of Israel on the woke left and the woke right and among "Christian" antisemites is very high. We will do our very best to fight back against it.
Here is what to remember in the response to this, when you speak to your Friends and your followers: The Nazis were and are Psychopaths. They actually threaten EVERYONE, and threaten Freedom. History shows that Hitler killed 50 MILLION white people in war. Far from being a friend of white, he and the Nazis let out the Darkside of Human Nature which then murdered millions. We have monitored plans for the same again in both Developed and Developing countries. So Heed the warning. Best wishes Christian Zionist. Dan in Europe.
Thank you for the appreciation!
Fascinating and important. And that's so true that everyone has their role in serving the Jewish people – IDF service is not the way for everyone!
thank you, thank you
השם ישמור
👏👏👏🇮🇱🫡✡️🕎 Thank you for this wonderful article and your service, Rabbi! You and your comrades in arms the men and women of the IDF are fighting to protect western civilization. We are all in your debt. Not just the Israeli people but all the people in world are protected by you and your comrades in arms as you fight a genocidal terrorist group intent on building a global caliphate. Israel is the first line of defense against Islamist demons. The men and women of the IDF like yourself are heroes of the highest order who we owe a debt that can never be paid off! You are fighting to protect your country, bring ALL the hostages living and dead home and destroy Hamas once and for all. For the most part, you and your comrades have accomplished these goals. You’ve fought with unparalleled courage on the battlefield. Your exploits on the ground in Gaza dangerous and traumatizing as they are, would make you ancestors proud.
This American Lutheran says God Bless, watch over and protect you all, Jew and Arab, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Druze, white passing, black, brown, yellow, and red, secular and religious, male and female, straight and gay, able-bodied and disabled, Ashkenazi and Mizrahi! 🙏 I’m praying for each and every one of you to come home safely and for this war to be over as soon as possible! The Israeli people are can sleep safely and soundly tonight and most of the people of Gaza are free because of you! Millions of Israeli and Palestinian lives have been saved because of men like you! My family here in the United States is safe because of you! My co-workers at work are safe because of you! October 7th must NEVER happen again! Hamas-ISIS must be erdicated and reduced to a fifth-rate, two bit outfit that couldn’t conquer a hot dog stand. Their well on their way toward that thanks to you modern day Maccabees! Theodor Herzl, Chaim Weizmann, David Ben-Gurion, and Vladimir Jabotinsky are looking down from Heaven and are their eyes are selling up with tears of joy and pride!
The Jewish State they dreamed of decades if not centuries ago, is now a reality. Now when Jews are attacked they strike back fast and hard. Hamas didn’t know what hit them. The women of the IDF who get their courage from their mothers and grandmothers who survived the Holocaust and the two intifadas, unleashed the fury of h*** on Hamas which they had coming to them, and avenged their sisters who Hamas sexually assaulted, raped and murdered. Maya and Itay Regev, Mia Schem, Noa Argamani, Eli Sharabi, Alon Ohel, and all the other living hostages showed us what courage and the amazing power of the power spirit truly is!
Wow, thank you for sharing all of these reflections!
Don't know if there is an equivalent in Hebrew but this reminds me of Duty, Honor, Country in the US Army in which I served 8 years in the '70's. As a former soldier I appreciate the Rabbi's willingness to serve HIS country. Shabbat shalom, Rabbi from a US Catholic.
Wow, thank you for your service! That's very inspiring.
i hope this gets widely shared to the Haradi community, to see/hear 1st hand what it means to Israel and the world to truly be an observant Jew.
We're working on that...
I just forwarded an article I read to my Jewish friends that encouraged Jews in America to learn physical self-defense. Regardless of our age or how observant we are we all can build up our bodies and harden ourselves so that we can and then stand up to our enemies.
Yes! I write Healthy Jew here on Substack, and physical strength is so relevant on all levels.
Wow!
Wonderful!
When I compare Israel to the UK. I weep.
Bless you all