Now, with the operation behind us... an operation for which we paid a much less operational price, but much more expensive.
Precisely now, in the calm after the storm... or before it, depending on who you ask... or don't ask.
It's time to release the thoughts trapped inside the uniform, somewhere between the gray disc of the Book of Psalms, between the belt card and the carelessly folded page bearing a prayer for the peace of the IDF soldiers who stand guard over our country day and night without limit - from the Lebanese border to the ruins of Sajaiya.
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Signs hastily pasted under every tree and above every signpost enveloped the IDF soldiers with love and turned the southern highways into a long red carpet, where everyone in uniform is saluted in appreciation – battalion commander or brigade commander, brigadier general or lieutenant colonel. Refreshment stations for soldiers on their way there or there, huge tents set up by people with huge hearts to hand out a huge package to each soldier, fast food stands and clothing items filled and emptied in a masterful rotation throughout the day, and above all of this hovered the slogan of the operation, the highlight: "Thank you to those who protect us"!
***
Simultaneously with the announcement of the end of the current operation in Gaza (it certainly isn't a ceasefire), tens of thousands of yeshiva students flocked back to the benches of the Beit Midrash. Heavy suitcases alongside boxes of Borsalino or Brandolino, bags of tefillin alongside suit hangers, all of these were piled up on the city streets – indicating the beginning of a new time – the time of Elul.
In the coming month, as well as in the months that follow, as well as the year after this, tens of thousands of Torah scholars will sit in front of the stands, swaying to a uniform rhythm in a kind of sweeping and exciting choreography, immersed in the yellowing pages of the Gemara that exude the scent of yesteryear, the fragrance of the home of their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and yet they have – for these pages – a taste for more, much more... They will not sit still day or night.
Neither Order 8 nor regular service, neither General Staff orders nor a tough-talking company commander, none of these things make those eager boys adhere to the supreme goal and delve into the depths of the issue. Quietly, quietly, without spokespeople and without field correspondents, without a security budget but with a lot of faith, without a windbreaker and without a magic wand. Only quietly, quietly will they do what is incumbent upon them – the defense of the homeland, the people and the country.
I didn't see any ornate signs that showed respect and appreciation for those who protect us with their teachings, I didn't notice any refreshment stations that provided them with minimal needs as those who were going away from home for long weeks, nor did I encounter any good people who filled boxes or at least sandwiches as a side dish for the road. No... I didn't see any.
***
Everywhere I went during my reserve days, I saw the warmth and love showered on the soldiers, if only for the mere fact that they were wearing a uniform. And it's not that uniforms make their wearers better, more educated, more charitable, or people everyone seeks to be close to.
In contrast to Torah students – whom the Torah educates, renovates, upgrades, polishes, and refines.
And we, the family and friends, the rabbis and activists... did we dare to raise a single sign in front of bus 402 or 450, on that Rosh Chodesh Elul day, that read "Thank you to those who protect us" or "With love to those who protect us"?
Has it occurred to us to walk around with baskets full of sandwiches, cold cans, sweets and surprises, and distribute them to those wearing black and white before their departure, while smiling at them and thanking them?
And in general... when we saw them standing at the stations, did we stop the car for a moment and point at them, while telling our children: "Look at these heroes who give up pampering, honor, and a life of comfort and go to study Torah"?
It turns out not.
Food for thought before we get angry about the attitude of the media and Israeli society towards Torah students in general and yeshiva students in particular.
We don't do it better!
