We Have Been Called to the Army!
by Ari Abramowitz and Jeremy Gimple
We've Been Called to the Army!
After a devastating four-pronged terror attack against Israel this past Thursday, Hamas has fired over one hundred missiles into Israel hitting schools, killing, maiming, and terrorizing.
As we are on the front lines of the Southern Command, we have been called up to service as the situation is growing more grave each day! I (Ari) am in the US and heading back to Israel tomorrow to join Jeremy who has already been mobilized and is currently preparing for whatever may take place in Gaza in the immediate future. Jeremy just returned to his family from a two week speaking tour throughout the US, sharing the truth about what is happening in Israel, and to be called away from his wife and three beautiful children is quite difficult on his family as it is on the country as a whole.
I spoke to Jeremy this morning and he seems to be in good spirits despite the clear strain this is putting on his wife and children, who, by the way, have been heroic in their selfless encouragement and support. Or as supportive as a four year old wondering why his "abba" has to leave again can be...
In the few moments I was able to speak with him, I asked Jeremy how he was doing and he said "This murder and terror is nothing new. But for the first time in thousands of years when we are massacred in the streets, we can fight back. We are able to defend ourselves, and the entire nation of Israel, in the promised Land. There is much to be thankful for. These are good times!"
What a perspective! That's pretty much our dynamic in the army - as a commander he inspires the unit and I will crack a joke for good measure. The truth is that miraculously, when we are called up to the army in these times, a deep sense of joy and purpose is put upon us and so many of our fellow soldiers. The Torah establishes clear lines of consequences for listening or not listening to God and following the mitzvot. Within the curses the Torah states as a reason all the curses are occurring: "because you did not serve HaShem your God with joy and goodness of heart...." (Deutronomy 28:47).
The joy that we feel at being able to serve in the first Jewish Army since the times of King David - it is something that transcends logic. You feel it in your soul.
For those of you who would want to write Jeremy a message of encouragement and support, I encourage you to email him at Jeremy@thelandofisrael.com
www.rabbijonathanginsburg.org
No comments:
Post a Comment