Letters – Fall 2024
Rabbis of the IDF
Jewish Action’s cover story “Religion on the Battlefield” (summer 2024) includes excellent articles by some of Israel’s most erudite rabbis. But other than Carol Ungar’s interview with a member of the women’s division of the Casualty Treatment Unit (the chevra kadisha) of the IDF Rabbinate, there are only a few passing references to the rest of the work of the IDF Rabbinate. An interview with its chief rabbi, Brigadier General Rabbi Eyal Krim, or with two former IDF chief rabbis, Brigadier Generals (reserves) Rabbi Yisrael Weiss and Rabbi Rafi Peretz, would have enriched this issue.
Rabbi Krim oversees everything relating to religion in the IDF and is deeply involved in discussions on ethical issues that arise. Rabbis Weiss and Peretz have been giving chizuk to soldiers, the wounded, bereaved families and to those who are doing the heart-wrenching, holy work in the Casualty Treatment Unit at the Shura base.
In addition to overseeing kashrut, religious items for the soldiers, synagogues, Torah classes and educational activities, the IDF Rabbinate has a Halachah Branch. Among its many published books is Torat Hamachaneh, a halachic volume of teshuvot on army issues, which a source in the IDF Rabbinate says is “the most comprehensive book ever written on these issues.” He also said that their most important work in this war was the identification of the deceased, which in some cases was extremely complicated. IDF rabbis also work to keep the morale of soldiers high. Morale on the battlefield is profoundly intertwined with soldiers’ motivation to fight.
It would have also been worthwhile to highlight the Talmudic Encyclopedia’s edition War in the Light of Halachah, released in January 2024. Rabbi Dr. Avraham Steinberg is head of the editorial board of the Talmudic Encyclopedia and this edition is in memory of Col. Yonatan Steinberg (no relation to Rabbi Steinberg), of blessed memory, commander of the Nahal Brigade, who fell in battle on October 7. In addition to Col. Steinberg’s impressive military career, he had studied at Horev Yeshiva High School in Jerusalem and in the Ma’ale Eliyahu Yeshiva in Tel Aviv. He lived in the deeply religious community of Shomria in the Negev. The edition, in addition to specifically war-related issues, includes topics such as ahavat Yisrael and machloket, topics important to Am Yisrael today.
The rabbis of the IDF Rabbinate, and Col. Steinberg, in his life and in his heroic death, are the kind of people to be emulated by the readers of Jewish Action.
Toby Klein Greenwald
Efrat, Israel
Feedback from a Miluima
In the article about miluim wives (“A New Kind of Battlefield” [summer 2024]), I was, unfortunately, misrepresented. While my husband was serving in the IDF, my family was not in financial distress. In fact, because we received so much support, financially we were better off. Almost all of our meals were delivered by various organizations. My children received extra food at school since their father was in miluim. One shul even arranged for us to have free babysitting so I could take my older children to various activities. As difficult as it was, there were times I felt I was being hugged by members of the community.
Yes, being a “miluima” [a woman with children whose husband has gone to war] was tough and lonely. My parents could not come help because of health reasons and I have no family in Israel. I often felt alone. But I am proud to help the war effort.
Sarah Weller
Jerusalem, Israel
Modesty and Marketing
While reading your feature “Modesty in the Modern Age” (summer 2024), two thoughts came to mind.
Though you do mention social media, I didn’t see any references to the ubiquitous cell phone. It has unfortunately become commonplace for many people to whip out their phones at any time and place. One of my pet peeves is being forced to listen in on random and often inane conversations in elevators, and on public transportation, in restaurants or behind someone on line at the cashier. Private conversations in public areas merited mention.
Secondly, for a long time before releasing my book Unmatched: An Orthodox Jewish woman’s mystifying journey to find marriage and meaning, I had to decide whether I’d aim for publicity or privacy. Would I show my face, do a book tour or do video podcasts? On the one hand, nothing beats the human connection between author and reader to make sales happen. On the other hand, I had to consider what the publicity would do to all the characters in my book, including myself.
When I considered the people I admired, I realized that they were influential in my life without being any kind of star influencer. They were modest and humble. They didn’t brand themselves or need social media, and those that did use it always pushed their message more than themselves. From the emotional letters I’ve received after the book came out, I think I can say that I did indeed make the right choice.
Sarah Lavane (pen name)
Recognizing Your Value
In “What Are You Good At? The Art of Positive Feedback” (summer 2024), Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph helps the reader find ways to discover the good in themselves. “Feedback” and “positivity” are not mutually exclusive. A manager can point out what needs improvement while also praising the employee. We, too, should see our own strengths, rather than fall down the rabbit hole of “weaknesses.” Build on your own accomplishments to grow and succeed.
The Ohr HaChaim Hakadosh, on the very famous story of Yaakov blessing Ephraim and Menashe that Rabbi Joseph cites, questions why Yaakov asked “who are these?” Of course Yaakov knew who his grandsons were, but by elaborating on Yosef’s fine children, Yosef would allow the berachos to be fulfilled. Another peshat from the Ohr HaChaim is that Yaakov wanted to know what Ephraim and Menashe did in their own right to earn the blessings. In other words, he was asking, who are you? What have you accomplished? What goals are you working on to be successful in life? One might recognize a face or a name as being from a prominent Jewish family, but what is that individual doing in their own right?
Through positive feedback, we allow blessings to enter the world.
Howard Jay Meyer
Brooklyn, New York
Reciting Kaddish for Soldiers
David Olivestone’s touching article “Mah Shlomcha?” (summer 2024) describes reciting Kaddish for a soldier who has no family member to do so. Mr. Olivestone writes:
A while ago, I noticed that a friend had begun to say Kaddish following Aleinu at each tefillah. He put me in touch with an organization that works to ensure that every chayal killed in action has someone to say Kaddish for him if there is no family member to do so. So now I, too, am saying Kaddish for a twenty-year-old soldier who fell in Gaza.
After my parents died, I realized that in death they bestowed upon me a gift to share with other Jews: to say Kaddish for those without family. Like Mr. Olivestone, I too would like to say Kaddish for soldiers and would appreciate learning more about the organization mentioned in the article. This is a meaningful way for me to contribute to Israel and its soldiers from afar.
Joshua Annenberg
Teaneck, New Jersey
David Olivestone Responds:
As I wrote to Mr. Annenberg personally, the organization is called Chesed Chaim V’Emet (holy.hhe.org.il/en/kaddish-lkol-kadosh/). The eleven months of saying Kaddish for the victims of October 7 have now passed, but hardly a day goes by now when we do not learn the names of soldiers who have died in battle. The families of the many chayalim and civilians who have fallen, whose parents or other close relatives are, for whatever reason, unable to say Kaddish regularly, greatly value the comfort this organization brings them. For those of us saying Kaddish on their behalf, it’s a tangible, thrice-daily reminder of their sacrifice on our behalf. Anyone who wishes to participate can fill out a form on the website or email them at kadish.lechol.kadosh@gmail.com, and you will be contacted.
May we hear only besorot tovot in the future.