These are difficult days for the Jewish people. Vivid print descriptions and horrific images are being circulated of the atrocities committed against Jews living in Israel in recent days. In response, in addition to the regular standing forces, 360,000 Israeli reserve soldiers have been mobilized. Many of us are left to wonder what we can do to support the State of Israel and its citizens during these difficult and challenging times.

During a previous war in Gaza, The Bostoner Rebbe, z”l Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Horowitz of Jerusalem and Rabbi Simcha Hakohen Kook z”l asked that active soldiers in the Israeli army be partnered with someone who would be praying for their safety. It was based on the words drawn from the Torah in Numbers 31:4, “Eleph lamateh, Eleph lamateh,””a thousand from a tribe, a thousand from a tribe.”

The idea of taking acharayut, responsibility, for another Jew, is certainly not a new concept. There is a well-known Jewish adage, “Kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazeh,” that all Jews, wherever they may be, are responsible as guarantors for their fellow Jews.

The Talmud in Rosh Hashana 29a, states that even an individual Jew who has fulfilled a particular mitzvah obligation, may nevertheless repeat a blessing such as Kiddush on Friday night for the benefit of other Jews who have not yet discharged their obligation to do so. Rashi, the great medieval commentator, explains that the reason is Kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazeh, that we are each guarantors for our fellow Jews.

We strongly encourage you, our program participants, readers and supporters, to please visit the following site where you can pick the Hebrew name of an Israeli soldier, and recite a particular chapter of Tehillim/Psalms in Hebrew on behalf of that soldier. For those who are comfortable reading Hebrew, this is a wonderful opportunity to practice your Hebrew, by beseeching the Almighty to protect our soldiers from harm. Simply click on the link and switch to English for instructions.
https://tehillimlechayal.org/

Those who are not yet comfortable reading Hebrew, please take a moment out each day to recite the following two short chapters of Psalms (English provided) so we can all do our part to join together with Jews around the world praying for the health and wellbeing of all those who are placing their lives on the line for Am Yisrael.

Chapters 121 and 130 of Tehillim/Psalms.