The State of Israel is at war against a cruel and evil enemy. We were surprised, hit and suffered heavy losses, but we did not lose. The IDF and security forces will do everything necessary to harm the murderers of Hamas and ensure our firm hold on the land of our forefathers forever.
In the synagogues, Shabbat is read the portion of Noah. Noah emerges from the ark, and from heaven the rainbow shines upon him in all its colors. The rainbow symbolizes G-d's promise to the "covenant of the world," and it symbolizes majesty, beauty and hope for a better future, in which there is no flood and no destruction. But this promise is conditional on a clear and unequivocal demand: "And immediately man shall demand the soul of man. The shedding of man's blood in man shall be shed, for in the image of God he made man."
The most serious offense in the Torah is bloodshed. Man, as a human being, is required to act with brotherhood and friendship towards all creatures, and this is the essence of the image of God within him. Whoever chooses the path of murder and bloodshed is himself mortal! Only an uncompromising attack on those who chose to spill our blood will ensure the existence of a flourishing and prosperous world, the post-flood world.
After the massacre and fierce battles: Israel Hayom commentator Yoav Limor on a tour of the communities near the Gaza Strip
The spirit of the IDF fighters and commanders is strong. We are ready to embark on a battle that is neither more moral nor justified, a battle that will be won by the IDF's military might, based to a large extent on the courage and legacy of the Jewish people throughout the ages. The spirit of Israel's leaders – from Joshua Ben Nun and King David, through Judah Maccabee and Bar Kochba, to underground fighters and IDF fighters in recent generations – beats among us, commanding us to go into battle and defeat the enemy.
Our Duty to the Fallen: Dedicated and Respectful Care for the Fallen
Over the past two weeks, the military rabbinate has been tasked with the sacred task of caring for the fallen. Words will not contain the feelings of the caregivers, who, with holy reverence for the fallen and their families, with endless devotion and maximum precision, were engaged and are still engaged in identifying each fallen and bringing it to burial in the most dignified manner. In the past two weeks, the "Deer Center" – the national center for the treatment of fallen soldiers in Israel's wars – has written a unique chapter in the annals of Israeli society, when within its walls the most devoted and respectful treatment of the fallen who gave their lives for the people and the country was ensured.
Sacred work. Zvi Center for the Treatment of Martyrs, Photo: IDF Spokesperson
We are well aware of the need to prevent any delay and address spaces as quickly as possible, but it is important to emphasize that accuracy is even more important. Our absolute obligation to the fallen and their families is to ensure that despite the unimaginable number of fallen, each and every one of them is identified with certainty, which is valid according to the law and halacha. This is our professional duty, this is our national mission, and we are ready for it.
We hear every day about unique acts of courage and heroism led by IDF commanders and soldiers, Israeli police officers, members of the alert squads and other security forces on the battlefield in the face of the criminal attack by Hamas murderers. Along with them, the staff members of the military rabbinate also required special heroism. Our men at the operational end were engaged day and night in the task of evacuating the casualties from the battlefield, sometimes under fire and during encounters with the enemy.
Our men at the Deer Center also met the enemy, but not on the battlefield, but rather in the treatment halls where there is deathly silence. The military rabbinate's staff at the front and on the home front stand as public emissaries of Israeli society as a whole, which stands behind us and supports and strengthens our mission to pay our last respects to the fallen.
Bodies of murdered Israelis in Gaza village, Photo: GettyImages
Unite not only in times of war and crisis
One of the central principles of the vision of the military rabbinate is the need to engage in bringing hearts together and deepening unity among the people of Israel. The IDF, and the military rabbinate within it, absorbs into its ranks all shades of Israeli society, and proves that for a common goal we serve and fight shoulder to shoulder, without any barrier or disagreement. The war reminded us all that what unites and unites is greater than what divides and divides. Our great task is to preserve this wonderful unity forever, even in days of peace and quiet that will yet come, with G-d's help.
Together, we pray for the success of all fighters and members of the security forces on the battlefield and in the combat support systems. We pray again for the well-being of our brothers and sisters who are held captive by Hamas. The State of Israel will do everything possible to return them to their homes safely.
The campaign is not over yet and may be prolonged. But we will win, because we have no other country and no other people. We will win because the entire nation of Israel stands behind us and trusts us. We will win because of the Spirit and faith, because of unity and because of the righteousness of our path.
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