● Women throughout Israel, many of whom don’t usually bake their own challahs, are doing so in order to perform the special mitzvah of hafrashas challah for the wellbeing of soldiers, the safety of civilians in dangerous areas, and the refuah of the wounded.
Websites and e-mails provide constant information about the war – including names of wounded soldiers to pray for; hospital visiting hours for wounded soldiers; names of hospitalized soldiers who need English-speaking visitors; drop-off points for donations to soldiers of food, clothing, and toiletries and of games, books, and arts and crafts for children in southern Israel; prayer gatherings and special prayers one can say on one’s own; and stories of miracles.
The Front Lines ● Men from organizations such as ZAKA travel to the front to encourage soldiers, give them books of Tehillim, and in general lift their spirits and morale.
● Religious women have gone down south to visit, strengthen, and inspire female soldiers.
● Chabad is at the bases putting on tefillin, blessing and encouraging the soldiers.
● In the words of a soldier, “We feel an amazing embrace by the whole nation. We’re all part of one family, and what is being done for us certainly helps very much. Our morale is very high, and we see and experience miracles every day.”
Yes, the achdus among Am Yisrael, especially here in Eretz Yisrael, is tremendous. It is so great that many are hoping it will not only help our soldiers and civilians but even help bring Mashiach and the Geulah, the Final Redemption.
Please, wherever you are, pray for us, take on good resolutions, and do whatever else you can think of for the sake of Am Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael because we truly are one family.
