Last weekend I called my cousin, a Givati \u200b\u200bfighter who was on vacation after a month of grueling fighting in Gaza.<\/p>\r\n
\""Tell me, are you aware there at the front what is happening here in the home front? Of the commitment of the people of Israel who never stop sending food and treats and of the prayers that are dedicated to your cause?" I asked.<\/p>\r\n
\""It's really heartwarming," he replied. "Although not all the food reaches the fighting zone, you have no idea how much prayers help. There are things I can't tell you, but you see miracles there every moment. There is no doubt that the rights of Torah study and prayers help us at every stage of this fighting. Keep going, don't let up!"\"<\/p>\r\n
Who would have believed it? Ten years ago, we would sit at family events and never stop arguing about these issues. The family member in question came from religious Zionism, a clear idealist who sees the army as holy of holies, while I am from the world of black yeshivahs who do not see eye to eye on the sanctity of the army versus the value of Torah study. And now, in one phone call in the middle of the war, it becomes clear that everyone appreciates the contribution of the other side. I never cease to admire his dedication to the people and the country, and he encourages me to continue studying for his sake.<\/p>\r\n
The ceasefire is lowering our morale.<\/b><\/p>\r\n
\""Tell me, doesn't the fall of your comrades in the battalion lower your morale?" I asked him. "Do you still have the desire to fight?"\"<\/p>\r\n
\""It's very painful," he answered me, "it's not easy to lose members of a unit, but there's nothing we can do. We went to war and we knew we would pay a price. Our morale is high. We went to defend the people of Israel and as far as we're concerned, we won't stop until we destroy all terrorism in Gaza. The only thing that lowers our morale is the declarations of a ceasefire. We set goals, plan an action, and at the last minute we stop because of these pauses. The biggest mistake during an operation is to cease fire.".<\/p>\r\n
I was amazed by his ambition. In the secret of my heart, I prayed that the fighters on the home front, the Torah students, would have the same ambition as the fighters on the front. That they too would be disappointed if they were informed of a ceasefire and a departure from the times, and that they too would understand the great responsibility that rested on their shoulders.<\/p>\r\n
An hour later, I discovered to my delight that the great men of the generation had stopped extending the study arrangements and canceling the vacation between times. The notice posted at the entrance to the largest yeshiva in the world - Yeshiva Mir, about the continuation of the arrangements and the cancellation of the vacation filled me with a sense of pride. The world of Torah understands the responsibility, the yeshiva students feel the complicity of fate, we are blessed to belong to such a special people that despite the demonization and ignorance surrounding the issue of equality of burden, in times of war and in moments of truth, everyone understands their place, and each community does the maximum they can in the field they are good at.<\/p>\r\n
\""I can't believe I'm going for this."\"<\/b><\/p>\r\n
But along with the feelings of pride, a feeling of envy also crept into her, envy of people who understand their responsibility and do not abandon their position in battle, the soldier on the front lines, and the priest in the kollel, both of whom understand that one moment of weakness could decide the battle, both of whom understand that in moments of ceasefire the enemy can kidnap a soldier and the urge can bring down casualties. I was jealous of the people who give their lives on the front lines, who kill themselves in the tent of the Torah, the people thanks to whom we live.<\/p>\r\n
And that's what reminded me of my experience from exactly a year ago.<\/p>\r\n
On the eve of Tisha B'Av last year, I had the privilege of accompanying the Maran, the Chief Rabbinate, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, to a meeting with the mayor regarding the rabbinical elections. When we got out of the car, the rabbi whispered sadly, "I can't believe this is what I'm doing. I've been dragging my feet from city to city to meet with elected officials instead of sitting in a yeshiva and preparing for tonight's shiur.".<\/p>\r\n
\""Its cancellation is its existence," I tried to reassure him, "The rabbi follows his father's commandments to this mission that can save many from sin.".<\/p>\r\n
When we entered the office, we were informed that the mayor was offering his apology but would be delayed for about five minutes.<\/p>\r\n
\""Good, we have five minutes, come listen to what I'm going to say in the evening class," the rabbi sat me down next to him and began discussing the topic of Torah study and Tisha B'Av. "It is true that the words of Torah make the heart happy, and it is forbidden to rejoice on Tisha B'Av. On the other hand, we recite the blessings of the Torah in the morning prayer. Could it be that we are reciting a blessing in vain?"\"<\/p>\r\n
The rabbi began a fascinating "chavura," and I prayed that the mayor would stay as long as possible.<\/p>\r\n
As I left the meeting, I thought to myself, what a shame we didn't get to yearn for Torah study like that. How I envied people who look for as many reasons as possible to allow Torah study even on Tisha B'Av, despite the joy it brings them.<\/p>\r\n
This year's Tisha B'Av, the same reflections, the same feelings of pride mixed with envy, and the same prayer that this year, God willing, we will no longer have to fast and will merit complete redemption.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\""I am filled with envy for people who understand responsibility and do not abandon their position in battle. The soldier on the front lines and the priest in the kollel both understand that one moment of weakness could decide the battle." \u2022 And what did the Rishon LeZion whisper to me on the eve of Tisha B'Av last year?","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[469,6633,489,2107,1654,6632],"class_list":["post-61246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-138","tag-469","tag-6633","tag-489","tag-2107","tag-1654","tag-6632"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n