My unit’s Swearing-In Ceremony (Tekes Hashba’ah) took place Thursday evening at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Over 500 soldiers from the Nahal Infantry Brigade together swore to protect the State of Israel. Throughout the entire ceremony and the immediate aftermath, I had a smile on my face. As cheesy as it sounds, I was moved by the ceremony and it’s not hard to figure out why.
During the ceremony, hundreds of new recruits stood in formation. Each one of us swore an oath to protect Israel and the Jewish People. One by one, we each made our way to our respective platoon commanders. A step forward, the platoon commander handed me a rifle; a step back, the sergeant handed me a bible. These two objects, both essential for Israel’s existence as a Jewish state, then came together in salute to the officer in front of me.
Consider that after nearly 2,000 years, our people finally have a homeland. Consider that after nearly 2,000 of the world turning its back to us, we have a place of our own. Combine six years of Jewish day school, seven summers of Camp Ramah, a semester of high school studying in Israel, and seeing the camps and massacre sites in Poland with my Zionist ideals. Now, for me to stand at the holiest place in the Jewish religion and receive a rifle and a bible, promising to protect the land that Jews have dreamt of and worked and died for, was truly a great honor. Consider all of this together and it nearly covers the way I felt on Thursday.
Adam,
We are privileged to have persons such as yourself to remind us why we are doing it, why we are there. As an 17 years Airforce veteran, I salute you. I know it meant a lot to you and to Yonatan.
Hi-
I’m a friend of Noa’s, and she pointed out this blog to me.
As a middle schooler still trying to figure out where my life is headed and how my Jewish identity factors in, it so inspiring to hear about your experiences serving in the IDF. It’s refreshing to see someone like you who’s confident and passionate about what you’re doing to change and protect peoples’ lives.
Thank you.
-Emmie
Oh, hey Em!
Hi Yon,
So I sent that e-mail asking for donations around, and it turns out Emmie’s grandpa sent a check!
Ani mitgagat, Skype matai shuv.
❤
Oh, Adam, you wrote this one.
sorry[:
Haha – you goofball. Thanks Noa, it means a lot! And Emmie, Adam is on base right now, but it what you said will mean a lot to him as well.
Anita, Kelsey, Alex and I are praying for you and Adam to be the best you can be, to do it honorably (We know you will). We pray that our Creator care for you both and keep you well as you do the noblest of duties.