• DR

  Anonymous -5 months ago

  Thank you for sharing your perspective on the sacrifices of IDF soldiers. I'd like to offer my viewpoint, which considers their motivations and the broader context of their service.

  The  key question is whether the primary motivation for these IDF soldiers is to protect me, or if their commitment is deeply rooted from childhood, where serving in the IDF and defending their homeland is intertwined with their identity, pride, and sense of duty.

  I appreciate all your points, and I've carefully considered them. However, I don't quite see it quite the way you do. From your perspective, it might seem like my friend and I are studying in the beis medrash when suddenly we're confronted by a terrorist and my friend nobly offers to fight while I continue learning, willing to sacrifice himself for me.

  For me, these IDF soldiers enter the army much like I enter the kolel after my wedding – it's a path they've always known they would take. They hover towards this direction almost like a robot machine as this has been engrained in their identity childhood and upbringing. Their intentions, if anything, seem more geared towards protecting the land of Israel, safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and security rather than solely saving lives or ensuring Jews can continue studying Torah. Let's face it, there's a bitter irony in suggesting that their intentions include enabling us to freely serve our God, given the historical context of Zionism's establishment, which has often been seen as detrimental to our spiritual life and connection to God, striving for Jews to diverge from Judaism and abandon their faith.

  While I deeply appreciate the unintended benefits of their service, such as protecting lives and enabling our studies to continue, it may not be entirely accurate to frame their sacrifices solely around our personal safety or educational endeavors.

  So, let's clarify: we can agree their intentions aren't solely focused on helping us, yet unintentionally they do safeguard our lives and allow us to continue our studies.

  Regarding expressions of gratitude, such as hugs and embraces, I'm hesitant. Instead, I believe we can support them through prayers for their success and safety, entrusting the outcomes of their missions to a higher power.

  In conclusion, while recognizing and respecting the sacrifices of IDF soldiers and the indirect benefits to our community, it's essential to maintain a balanced understanding of their motivations and the broader geopolitical context in which they operate.

  The crux of my argument here is that I don't believe it's as simple as your portrayal of my dear comrade telling me to continue learning while he sacrifices my life for me. It's more nuanced than that.

  I look forward to discussing this further with you and hearing your insights.

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  • M

    Moishi -1 month ago

    wow

    Hi, I carefully read and re-read your words and muct say I'm prestty much shocked by it... 

    Iv'e been a Miluim IDF soidier for over 21 years, and I can tell you there is nothing - Not A Thing - automatic about going into combat. You should ask yourself where did those thoughts of yours came from... 
    
    

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    • D

      David -1 month ago

      Deepenign into the science of the IDF'S mission...

      Hi Moshi, How are you?

      I'm sorry if you found my perspective hurtful or heart-piercing.

      It was clearly not my intention.

      Let me clarify. We'll assume you had a different experience from the way I put it, but that still doesn't undermine the point I was trying to make in any way, which is mainly to argue on what Rabbi Jacobson said: that one must have deep admiration and engrained appreciation for the dedicated, devoted IDF that let us learn in serenity while they go out in the battlefield risking their lives and burying their friends funerals. I made several points to consider why it might entirely not be the case.

      1a) Which was the point you found shocking (entering like the Kolel...)

      1b) That it's more about protecting the land and safeguarding the nation's sovereignty than protecting people individually. 

      2) That the establishment of ISRAEL was to outroot every last fiber of Yiddishkeit and Judaism as they passionately strive to interrupt everything associated with Judaism... (so the need for an IDF to support such a notion accompanied with the mandatory of showing unprecedented appreciation becomes all the more controversial and less of a holier mission.)

      3) to the point that saying that the IDF let me learn in peace is almost a mockery joke because they clearly aren't interested in my learning, and let me make this clear: I'm not talking individually, I'm talking in general.

      So if you feel you may have a totally different experience, then this is not for you, but clearly making a labeled command to appreciate the IDF as a whole, especially because they are letting us to shatter away and learn and connect with our G-D, is quite apparently not the case; its only unintended benefits...

       

      For you personally, Moshi, I extend my heartfelt blessing to you that you have a life full of meaning, spiritual growth, and self-contentment and that you succeed in your tireless work as a soldier to continue protecting the land and to obliterate our enemy.

       

       

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• API

  A proud Israeli -11 months ago

  Holy of the holyness

  While we all need to approve in many ways, how would the country be safe without all the Torah being learnt daily under huge Mesiras Nefesh in the hundreds of Yeshivas and Kollelim in Israel?? Why do these people not get the title, holy of the holiness?? They only deserve criticism because they are not perfect? While we surely owe huge gratitude to all the soldiers, which are real Hero's, are they so much more perfect to deserve the title holy of the holiness?? 

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  • CS

    Chaim S -11 months ago

    Because being ready to give up your life to protect your fellow Jew and the land of Israel is the ultimate MITZVAH, and there is nothing holier than that.

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  • Anonymous -9 months ago

    Thank you!

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• CB

  Chaim Bochner -11 months ago

  All removed? I guess emotions running high!

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  • D

    David -11 months ago

    Rabbi YY - I dont know if you read this but I am consumed by the following conundrum - if our soldiers are the holy of holies, why do I not send my son to the army? Do I not want him too to be the holy of holies? how exactly do we make this seemingly impossible split?

    I'd be forever grateful for a satisfying answer

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Interview on "Headlines"

Rabbi YY Jacobson

• December 30, 2023
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• 18 Tevet 5784
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• 1351 views

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