Parashat Matot/Masei: What is the Torah View on Recruiting Yeshiva Students for the Israeli Army?

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Parashat Matot/Masei
What is the Torah View on Recruiting Yeshiva Students for the Israeli Army? 

Gratitude for Our Soldiers’ Self-Sacrifice to Fight our Torah Mandatory War
My heart is filled with gratitude towards the IDF – Israel Defense Forces. Before we had an army to defend ourselves, Jews went like sheep to the slaughter during the Holocaust, and Arab marauders murdered Jewish civilians right and left. Before we had our own army, old men were knifed, and women were raped by our ‘cousins’ while the British looked the other way. Without our brave and holy soldiers where would Israel be today? Personally, I doubt that I would have been able to return to my land and my roots had it not been due to the relative security we experience in the State of Israel thanks to the IDF.  Now about 300 days into the current Gaza war, things aren’t easy, and the high spirit of unity when the Yeshiva students prepared Tzitzit for the soldiers is threatening to break apart. Hashem is testing – not only our military resilience – but especially our moral strength and endurance. Now more than ever we are called upon to remain united against all the odds. This implies supporting our leadership even if we don’t agree about everything. During a war, it is not the proper time to criticize and protest against our prime minister. He needs our backing and support to be successful and bring about our victory. I’m thankful to Binyamin Netanyahu for standing up strongly for Israel’s right to defend itself against world opinion and sadly even against some of our own people. There is no question that our current war is a milchemet mitzvah (mandatory war from the Torah), which entails the mitzvah of saving Jews from attacking enemies, and the mitzvah of settling the Land of Israel.  
I support the Supreme Court ruling on June 25, 2024, that the Israeli government must enlist draft-age Charedi men into the military. After 76 years of exemption and political and societal controversy and strife over it, there is now a legal obligation for young Charedi men to join their Jewish Israeli comrades and serve in the military.  When it comes to a milchemet mitzvah – “the entire nation must go out to war, even a groom from his chamber, and a bride from her Chuppah” (Rambam Laws of Kings 7:4). The difference between the mitzvah of fighting a war, as opposed to the standard mitzvah of saving a life, is that the mitzvah of fighting a war requires mesirut nefesh (self-sacrifice), which overrides the obligation to protect one’s own life (Rabbi Eliezer Waldenberg, Responsa, Tzitz Eliezer 13:100). For this self-sacrifice of our young men and women for the sake of protecting us all I’m overwhelmingly grateful.

The Mitzvah of Enlisting in the Israeli Army

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed asserts that anyone who claims that there is no mitzvah to serve in IDF is not a Torah scholar. Our Torah repeatedly commands us to go out to war to conquer the Promised Land. The mitzvah of settling the land equals all the mitzvot (Sifre, Re’eh, Parasha 53). It overrides saving the lives of individuals as we were commanded to conquer the Land of Israel, and the Torah doesn’t expect us to rely on a miracle. Since there usually is no war without casualties, the mitzvah to conquer the Land obligates us to endanger lives for it (Minchat Chinuch 425, 604; Mishpat Kohen p. 327). Although the mitzvah of Torah learning is equated to all the mitzvot, the basic rule is that any mitzvah that cannot be performed by others overrides Torah learning (Babylonian Talmud, Mo’ed Katan 9a). This principle applies to serving in the army. Army service overrides Torah study when there are not enough soldiers for Israel’s security. However, when Israel’s security doesn’t warrant recruiting all young men, the Jewish nation must exempt students worthy of developing into Torah scholars so they can grow and become rabbis and educators. These few selected serious Yeshiva students must continue learning in yeshiva for several, unlimited years, to benefit all of Israel – provided they do so with respect and appreciation for the soldiers protecting our nation and country. Then their Torah learning can fully contribute to raising the spirit and courage of Israel. Since the inception of the state of Israel until recently, Israeli law granted full exemption from military service to roughly 20% of all yeshiva students. For this, the Chareidi community should have expressed gratitude to the State of Israel instead of complaining and criticizing.  If the Chareidi leadership invested even a fraction of the energy – used to fight against enlistment – into demanding more suitable conditions for Torah-observant soldiers, it would lower the risk of the spiritual decline of the religious youth serving in the army. When more Yeshiva students enlist in IDF, it will influence the army to follow Torah law and engender greater sanctity. As a result, the security of Israel will be greatly strengthened, and we will B”H merit the Final redemption. (Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, The Hareidim and the Mitzvah to Serve in the I.D.F.)  https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/hareidim-and-the-mitzvah-to-serve-in-the-i-d-f/ This article was written in 2014, how much more is it relevant today during our current longwinded war.

Taking Responsibility to Fight Side by Side with Their Brothers to Conquer the Land                    The Torah in Parashat Matot teaches us about the appreciation due to the soldiers going to war to conquer the land of Israel through the request of the tribes of Reuven, Gad, to receive land portions outside of Israel. Moshe was at first opposed to permitting these tribes to get a land portion on the other side of the Jordan River, which he felt would demoralize the soldiers:

ספר במדבר פרק לב פסוק ו וַיֹּאמֶר משֶׁה לִבְנֵי גָד וְלִבְנֵי רְאוּבֵן הַאַחֵיכֶם יָבֹאוּ לַמִּלְחָמָה וְאַתֶּם תֵּשְׁבוּ פֹה: (ו) וְלָמָּה (תנואון) תְנִיאוּן אֶת לֵב בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵעֲבֹר אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לָהֶם הָשֵׁם:

“[Thereupon,] Moshe said to the descendants of Gad and the descendants of Reuven, ‘Shall your brethren go to war while you stay here?’ Why do you discourage the children of Israel from crossing over to the land which Hashem has given them?” (Bamidbar 32:6-7).

Moshe only agreed to the request of those tribes after they voiced their complete commitment to the Jewish mission of conquering and settling the land of Israel:

ספר במדבר פרק לב פסוק יז וַאֲנַחְנוּ נֵחָלֵץ חֻשִׁים לִפְנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַד אֲשֶׁר אִם הֲבִיאֹנֻם אֶל מְקוֹמָם וְיָשַׁב טַפֵּנוּ בְּעָרֵי הַמִּבְצָר מִפְּנֵי ישְׁבֵי הָאָרֶץ: (יח) לֹא נָשׁוּב אֶל בָּתֵּינוּ עַד הִתְנַחֵל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אִישׁ נַחֲלָתוֹ:

“We ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel until we have brought them to their place. Our children will reside in the fortified cities on account of the inhabitants of the land. We shall not return to our homes until each of the children of Israel has taken possession of his inheritance” (Bamidbar 32:17-18).

Although the tribes of Reuven and Gad requested to live outside of the Land of Israel, they were well aware that their responsibility to conquer it was no less than those inheriting inside of the land. They not only offered to join their brothers in the battle for the Land of Israel, but these two tribes were even willing to fight at the head of the camp.  Since they committed to be partners in the war like everyone else, Moshe’s concerns abated.

The Torah Values the Soldiers Even More than the Kohanim
Parashat Matot further elucidates the appreciation due to the soldiers through its division of the large collection of spoils that the soldiers – who went to war against Midian – took back with them. Hashem commanded Moshe how to divide the spoils. The booty was to be divided equally between the soldiers and the rest of the population. There were 1,000 soldiers per tribe, 12,000 in total. The census in Parashat Pinchas enumerated a total population of 601,730 (Bamidbar 26:51). It seems an unfair distribution that 12,000 soldiers get the same as the 589,000 rest of Israel.  This teaches us that the soldiers are greatly valued in the Torah, their disproportional allotted share of the spoil expresses profound appreciation for their service. The benefits that our modern Israeli society grants to soldiers who serve our country are rooted in our Torah. The tithes of the Kohanim and Leviim – who provide spiritual strength – are minuscule compared to what the Torah designates for the soldiers.  The Kohanim receive 1/500th of the soldier’s half. The Leviim get 1/50th of the general population’s half. While we value the contribution of the religious leaders the soldiers’ contribution is appreciated even more.

Politically Incorrect Statements about Israeli Warfare Causes Uproar in the Jewish World
When I recently quoted Rabbi Manis Friedman about the Intimacy Crisis one of my students pointed out that many reputable Rabbis have accused him of being a heretic. I was quite shocked as I know him to be wise and erudite in Torah with a special gift of inspiring people of all levels of observance and backgrounds. When I researched the critique and Rabbi Friedman’s response, I found his words taken out of context and the accusations offensive and rude, calling the Rabbi – who has a long white bear – Santa Clause. The vehement attacks didn’t make sense until it dawned on me that it was his radical statements about Torah warfare that elicited such condemnations. In addition to publishing To Win a War (The Jewish Way): A Guide for post-war Sanity Rabbi Manis Friedman’s comments about warfare published in Moment Magazine caused a great uproar and a flurry of criticism from the Jewish world both in the USA and Israel. As the ‘tolerant’ Western world accuses Israel of “murdering innocent civilians” Rabbi Friedman took a bold unpolitical correct stand and wrote: “The only way to fight a moral war is the Jewish way: Destroy their holy sites. Kill men, women and children (and cattle)” – a statement which obviously would arouse massive resistance. Yet this statement may also be taken out of context. The abhorred statement must be understood on the background of “addressing some of the ethical issues related to forcing the military to withhold fire from certain people and places, at the unbearable cost of widespread bloodshed (on both sides!) –  when one’s own family and nation is mercilessly targeted from those very people and places” explained Rabbi Friedman. He also clarified that it was a response to the question of “how to act in time of war, when our neighbors attack us, using their women, children, and religious holy places as shields?” https://crownheights.info/general/18856/rabbi-manis-friedman-clarifies-his-statment/ Whereas the first part of his answer may have been written too harshly, I do believe in the truth of the continuation of Rabbi Friedman’s answer: “The first Israeli prime minister who declares that he will follow the Old Testament will finally bring peace to the Middle East. First, the Arabs will stop using children as shields. Second, they will stop taking hostages knowing that we will not be intimidated. Third, with their holy sites destroyed, they will stop believing that G-d is on their side. Result: no civilian casualties, no children in the line of fire, no false sense of righteousness, in fact, no war…”

Rabbi Manis Friedman’s Radical Statements Concur with the Torah
Rabbi Manis Friedman’s view on war ethics reflects the numerous Torah commandments to conquer and utterly wipe out our enemies in the Promised Land. In Parashat Masai, on the verge of completing forty years of wandering the wilderness, Hashem prepares the Israelites to capture the land of Israel:

ספר במדבר פרק לג פסוק נג וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּם אֶת הָאָרֶץ וִישַׁבְתֶּם בָּהּ כִּי לָכֶם נָתַתִּי אֶת הָאָרֶץ לָרֶשֶׁת אֹתָהּ:

“You shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the Land to occupy it” (Bamidbar 33:53-54).

Rashi understands the word וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּם/vehorashtem – to mean to wipe out all the inhabitants: 
YOU SHALL CLEAR OUT THE LAND - You shall vacate it of its inhabitants, and then you shall “settle in it.” Only then will you be able to survive there, but if you do not do this, you will be unable to survive there (Rashi, Bamidbar 33:53). The uproar caused by Rabbi Manis Friedman’s reiteration of this concept so clearly expressed by universally acclaimed Rashi displays how greatly the current Jewish world view still is from the Torah outlook.

Gratitude Focus for the Week of Parashat Matot/Masei  –
Some Tips for Showing Gratitude to Our Soldiers

As Israel faces terrorist organizations like Chamas, Chezbollah, and Islamic Jihad, none of whom hide that their agenda is to wipe away Israel from the map, our brave IDF soldiers put their lives on the line to maintain the security of Israeli civilians every single day.  Every one of our soldiers serving during this current war has given more to our people than many of us do in a lifetime Our soldiers, who invest their time, withstand challenges, and are willing to risk their lives to protect the State of Israel from its enemies and ensure the safety of the people they love deserve our undivided gratitude. Here are a few tips on what we can do to express the grateful feeling in our hearts for our dear soldiers:

•      Pray for the Soldiers Daily – You can pray in your own words from your heart, or you can use the following prayer: May the Holy One, Blessed is He, preserve and rescue our soldiers from every trouble and distress and every plague and illness, and may He send blessing and success in their every endeavor. May He lead our enemies to fall under our soldiers’ sway and may He grant the IDF salvation and crown them with victory!

• Pray for the Recovery of Injured Soldiers – get a list of names or even one specific name to include in your daily prayers. Several websites provide lists of names of soldiers to pray for. Here is a link to one: https://www.ctvp.org/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/1182483/jewish/Names-of-Wounded-Soldiers-Who-are-in-Desperate-Need-of-your-Prayers.htm

• Visit Injured Soldiers in the Hospital – show them empathy, and compassion, and share encouraging words. This means a lot to the injured soldiers. Each visit gives strength and brings about recovery. You could bring books of Tehillim to the injured soldiers and tell them how you pray every day for the soldiers’ safety, how you are thinking about them, and how all over the world, Jews are praying for their recovery. Strengthen the spirit of the injured soldiers and their families‚ by bringing them gifts and providing them with emergency aid and any basic necessities needed. This gives them the strong and important message that they are not alone.

• Pay Fallen Soldiers Last Respects – As heartrending as it may be, it is a very great mitzvah to attend their funerals and comfort the mourners. By fulfilling these mitzvot you are saying thank you to these soldiers, and their families. You honor what they stood for.  You can also pray for their souls, light a candle for the fallen soldiers, and dedicate specific mitzvot and Torah learning to their soul elevation.

• Express Your Appreciation for the Soldiers in Writing – You can send messages to soldiers through this email info@israelforever.org. All messages are sent directly to Lone Soldiers through The Lone Soldier Project™ of The Israel Forever Foundation. You may include drawings and photos to warm the soldiers’ hearts. Please note that while all letters are greatly appreciated, not all soldiers will have the opportunity to reply. 

• Send Care Packages to the Soldiers – They are operating in extreme heat, fighting terrorists day and night, with no access to laundry facilities. The harsh conditions they face make them prone to issues like fungal infections, jock itch, and sunburns, which can become quite serious. Soldiers don’t always have all the items needed to go on long missions or to stay clean and safe. Fresh underwear, socks, protein and energy bars, dried fruits/nuts, headlamps, and tools make a big difference! They also need G-shock watches, head flashlights, portable phone chargers, and more. At all the Lone Soldier Center branches, they have closets full of various basic supplies and items they need. Due to the Israeli customs fees and bureaucracy, don’t send items by mail. Bring the items to Israel or send them with a friend.

•  Commit to Educating as Many People as Possible – about the importance of the mission of our soldiers to defend the people of Israel against cruel barbarism, and how grateful we should all be for their bravery.

Who are the Real Defenders of Human Rights?

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Parashat Vayera
Who are the Real Defenders of Human Rights?

Demonizing the Israel Defense Forces

I’m grateful for living in that Land of Israel, and although the State of Israel is far from perfect, (who is perfect anyway?) I’m thankful to live in Israel under our own Israeli government rather than living in Israel during the British mandate or under the Ottoman Empire. Thank G-d for the IDF, the brave soldiers, and the morality with which it operates. I’m grateful for having a source of Honest Reporting rather than the brainwashed twisted media that many of my family members and friends are being fed. It is unbelievable after the atrocities Israel has suffered by the cruel barbarian enemy – who purposely targets civilians – how world politics are trying to demonize the Israeli army and Israelis in general. For example, Amnesty International declares: “On 21 October 2023, the Israeli army dropped leaflets on northern Gaza ordering residents’ immediate “evacuation…Israeli army threats ordering residents of northern Gaza to leave may amount to war crimes.” Although my husband is my personal news reporter because I generally don’t have time to follow politics, I was shocked when I came across several articles testifying how the media are condemning Israel and twisting the IDF’s caring warning that civilians evacuate Gaza in order to save their lives. Rather than disclosing the IDF’s humanitarian message to the civilians in Gaza, (Read IDF's message to the civilians in Gaza) the world is now accusing Israel of genocide. Not only the UN, but even California city, the USA, officially backs ‘Palestinians,’ and accuses Israel of ‘ethnic cleansing.’ IDF stands for Israel’s Defense Forces, this war and every other war Israel has been forced to wage throughout its existence is for the sake of defending our lives. Never has there been a war of attack initiated by IDF, but rather every single war in Israel is a response to terrorism and violence that threatens the survival of Israel. Encouraging the civilians in Gaza to evacuate to save their lives is following the directives of the Torah on the correct way of warfare as described in the Book of Yehoshua, who sent three letters to the Canaanites before entering the promised land. At first, he sent them: ‘Whoever desires to flee, should flee.’ Afterward, he sent a second message: ‘Whoever desires to accept a peaceful settlement, should make peace.’ Then, he sent again: ‘Whoever desires war, should do battle.’ (Rambam, Mishna Torah, Laws of Kings, and Wars 6:5).

Avraham’s Compassion for Humanity is Passed Down to the People of Israel

The precepts of peacefulness and compassion are paramount in Judaism. Every prayer we utter ends with the word Shalom. In Parashat Lech Lecha we read about the very first World War which Avraham entered to save Lot. Although Lot had parted ways with him, Avraham immediately understood the nature of moral responsibility and risked his life to save him. Even though Lot chose to live where he did with its attendant risks, Avraham didn’t say, “His safety is his responsibility, not mine.” The war of the four against the five kings sets the template for Israel’s motives for its involvement in wars. First of all, it teaches us that the basic relationship between the Jewish people and the world is one of struggle and combat, as this relationship was established at the very beginning of proto-Jewish history. Secondly, we learn that the reason Avraham entered the war was – unlike other nations, who war to conquer territories – only to save lives. This is the repeated pattern of Israel’s war history. “The deeds of the Fathers (and Mothers) are a sign for their children.” In Parashat Vayera, Avraham prays to save the city of Sodom, despite its depravity.

ספר בראשית פרק יח פסוק כג וַיִּגַּשׁ אַבְרָהָם וַיֹּאמַר הַאַף תִּסְפֶּה צַדִּיק עִם רָשָׁע: (כד) אוּלַי יֵשׁ חֲמִשִּׁים צַדִּיקִם בְּתוְֹ הָעִיר הַאַף תִּסְפֶּה וְלֹא תִשָּׂא לַמָּקוֹם לְמַעַן חֲמִשִּׁים הַצַּדִּיקִם אֲשֶׁר בְּקִרְבָּהּ: (כה) חָלִלָה לְּךָ מֵעֲשׂת כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה לְהָמִית צַדִּיק עִם רָשָׁע וְהָיָה כַצַּדִּיק כָּרָשָׁע חָלִלָה לָּךְ הֲשֹׁפֵט כָּל הָאָרֶץ לֹא יַעֲשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּט:

“Avraham approached and said, ‘Will You even destroy the righteous with the wicked? Perhaps there are fifty righteous men in the midst of the city; will You even destroy and not forgive the place for the sake of the fifty righteous men who are in its midst? Far be it from You to do a thing such as this, to put to death the righteous with the wicked so that the righteous should be like the wicked. Far be it from You! Will the Judge of the entire earth not perform justice?’” (Bereishit 18:23-25).

I’m grateful to be a descendant of Avraham who demonstrated his care and love for all of humanity and did everything in his power to avoid killing innocent ‘civilians.’ He dared to stand up against G-d and his compassion extended even beyond Divine compassion. This attitude of care for human life has been reflected in the Jewish people ever since Avraham set his example to plead for the people of Sodom.

The Role Model of Jewish Leadership Shows Compassion and Care for Humanity
Rabbi Yonatan Sacks explains how Avraham’s encounter with Hashem was the very first time a human being challenged G-d Himself. The people of Sodom were not Avraham’s brothers and sisters, so he was going beyond even what he did in rescuing Lot when he prayed on behalf of the people of Sodom. He did so because he understood the idea of human solidarity, immortally expressed by John Donne: No man is an island, Entire of itself … Any man’s death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind (John Donne, Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, Meditation XVII). G-d himself hinted to Avraham to challenge him saying,

ספר בראשית פרק יח פסוק יז 
וַהָשֵׁם אָמָר הַמְכַסֶּה אֲנִי מֵאַבְרָהָם אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי עֹשֶׂה: (יח) וְאַבְרָהָם הָיוֹ יִהְיֶה לְגוֹי גָּדוֹל וְעָצוּם וְנִבְרְכוּ בוֹ כֹּל גּוֹיֵי הָאָרֶץ:

“Hashem said, ‘Shall I conceal from Abraham what I am doing? For Avraham will become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations of the world will be blessed in him…’” (Bereishit 18:17-18).

Avraham’s pleading to protect the lives of the people of Sodom obviously wouldn’t be able to change Hashem’s mind, so why did Hashem reveal His plan to destroy Sodom to Avraham? Rabbi Sacks explains that since Avraham was to become the role model and initiator of the Jewish people, he had to have the courage to challenge G-d if his descendants were to contest human rulers. We Jews walk in Avraham’s footprints and rather than accepting the evil in the world, we challenge it in the name of what the world ought to be. This is a critical turning point in human history: the birth of the world’s first religion of protest – the emergence of a faith that challenges the world instead of accepting it. Avraham took moral responsibility and became the first role model of Jewish leadership (Based on Rabbi Yonatan Sacks, Covenant & Conversation, Answering the Call, וירא Vayera • 5774).

Why is the World Blinded from Perceiving That Israel Has the Right to Defend Itself?
By giving the civilians in Gaza warnings of forthcoming attacks and encouragement to leave to save their lives, IDF continues Avraham’s legacy. By disclosing their upcoming move and sacrificing the benefit of surprise attacks, the Israeli army allows themselves to be at a disadvantage for the sake of humanity. Is it IDF’s fault that Hamas cares less about the lives of their own people than Israel does? Why is Israel being condemned when the civilians of Gaza could be saved if only the Hamas terror group wouldn’t continue to use the residents of Gaza as human shields and prevent them from evacuating to the south, by threats and placing barriers? If the various defenders of human rights would care just a tiny bit about Israel’s right to exist, as well as about the lives of the civilians in Gaza, then instead of sending them financial help used for terrorism against Israel, they would help those who don’t support Hamas relocate to a safer place. Unfortunately, in war, it is impossible to avoid casualties. Why can’t the world media understand the difference between purposely targeting civilians like Hamas, and Israel who are trying to avoid hurting the innocent by all means? Why are world leaders blinded from perceiving that Israel has a right to defend itself and that Hamas couldn’t care less about their own people, whose lives they purposely endanger, to force IDF to cause casualties? Why is Israel accused of war crimes, genocide, ethnic cleansing, and more when we are up against a heinous enemy no less evil than the people of Sodom upon which the compassionate G-d decreed total destruction? 

Anyone Who Deviates from Evil is Deemed Insane
I believe the answer to all these questions is found in the Talmud which predicts the various signs of redemption. One such sign of redemption is that truth will be lacking.

תלמוד בבלי מסכת סנהדרין דף צז/א והאמת נעדרת שנאמר ותהי האמת נעדרת (וסר מרע משתולל) מאי ותהי האמת נעדרת אמרי דבי רב מלמד שנעשית עדרים עדרים והולכת לה מאי וסר מרע משתולל אמרי דבי רבי שילא כל מי שסר מרע משתולל על הבריות…

…And the truth will be lacking, as it is stated: “And the truth is lacking [ne’ederet], and he who departs from evil is negated” (Yeshayahu 59:15). What is the meaning of the phrase: And the truth is lacking [ne’ederet]? The Sages of the study hall of Rav said: This teaches that truth will become like so many flocks [adarim] and walk away. What is the meaning of the phrase: “And he that departs from evil is negated”? The Sages of the study hall of Rabbi Sheila said: Anyone who deviates from evil is deemed insane by the people (Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 97a).

Yes, truth is lacking and those deviating from evil are certainly called insane today. When a bill repealing sections of the 2005 Disengagement Law was passed in its first reading in the Knesset plenum in March 2023, labor leader Merav Michaeli told Army Radio it “gives the crazy settlers permission to do whatever they want in Judea and Samaria, and to hell with Israel’s security.” Would Merav dare to claim that the disengagement from Gush Katif (the thriving Israeli communities in Gaza) brought greater security to Israel and the world?  

   

Gratitude Focus for the Week of Parashat Vayera

• Give Thanks to the Soldiers – Fill your heart with gratitude for our dear soldiers and guards who risk their lives to protect us.  Whenever you pass by a soldier, thank him for protecting you. You can also express your gratitude by bringing the soldiers goodies, or even more important vital things like masking tape, a tourniquet, a first aid kit, and black markers.  Pray for the protection of our soldiers daily and dedicate learning and mitzvot to their safety.   

• Notice how the Current War is Making People Rise to Their Higher Selves – Since this war began I’ve noticed how people including myself are trying to better ourselves. After initially having said “no” to welcoming a difficult person to my home as a Shabbat guest, because I was so overwhelmed with all my responsibilities, I immediately regretted it and called her back to invite her. The guest was very grateful and exclaimed, “Thank you, this is really the right thing to do at this time.” Her words reflected my own penitent thoughts. This war is helping us become better people and do the right thing, however challenging it may be.   

• Discern the Goodness of the People in Your Lives – Pay attention to how the current war is affecting the people around you to become better people. Notice their effort to be more kind and helpful. Feel gratitude for the nice things people in your life are doing or saying and express your gratitude to them.  

• Smile – and show a positive attitude to everyone who crosses your path.  

• Thank Hashem for the War – How can we thank Hashem for our current grueling war situation where blood is being spilled and our lives and especially the lives of the soldiers are in danger? This level of gratitude is a tall order to fill.  Rebbe Nachman of Breslev teaches that before a person is granted a miracle, he is tested with trouble. The bigger the miracle he is about to receive, the bigger the test and trouble. When we look at our troubles, trials, and tribulations, through the eyes of emunah and thank Hashem for them, because we strongly believe that everything Hashem does is for the best, then we merit a major miracle. With this attitude of gratitude, let’s try thanking Hashem for all our hardships, even for the war.  

• Try Making the Following Statement of Emunah – “Hashem, I know that everything You do is absolute loving kindness. And I know that You always do what’s best for me. Therefore, I know that this awful war is for my ultimate good, to test my emunah and correct my soul. I want to express my appreciation!” When the person decides to be strong in emunah, the din/judgment turns into rachamim/mercy; the severe judgments become loving-kindness. The belief in Hashem turns the harsh trial into a tremendous deliverance! He who is happy with tribulations sees salvation. One who withstands tribulations receives miracles. (Rebbe Nachman, Sefer Hamidot).  

• Accept Hardships and Stop Complaining – Besides the war, I’ve been going through some difficult upsetting challenges lately. My natural inclination is to complain about it, and the people who are causing me these hardships. After having fallen into that trap, I pulled myself up and thanked Hashem for my challenges realizing that surely, this annoying hardship was sent by Hashem for a reason. Most likely I must go through this pain to atone for mistreating someone inadvertently. So, instead of being upset about it, I work on welcoming this suffering, realizing how it cleanses my soul!   

• Keep the Attitude of Gratitude – Whenever we find ourselves in a very difficult situation without understanding the process let us keep the attitude of gratitude and connect the seemingly inexplicable with trust in the Creator! When we preserve the attitude of gratitude under duress, then with Hashem’s help the most beautiful outcome manifests.