I write this report from Yerushalayim where we spent a beautiful Sukkos holiday with our family. Beautiful until Shabbos Simchas Torah morning when news began to trickle out. The neighborhood we are in is all religious so no one was listening to the radio or checking their emails. So, the information was minimal, but enough to worry everyone. As the afternoon progressed, more news emerged. After havdalah, Motza'ei Shabbos/Yom Tov, we began to hear more detail, more horror, more deaths, more captives, more sorrow.
As everyone already knows, this was probably the worst day in Israel’s history. Close to 1,000 people were butchered and murdered, soldiers, men, women, kids, even babies; over 150 people taken as captives, again, soldiers, men, women, children, we pray that Hashem protects them; and the over 2,500 people injured.
There is so much information missing; all the dead have not been identified, all the missing have not been identified, families are still in shock, the country is still in shock. The IDF has called up over 3,000 soldiers from the reserve with another 2,500 to be called up soon. That’s another 5,000 families whose lives will be interrupted even more. Most schools have not opened, many businesses are closed. For those of us here, we feel the tension in the air. Depending where one lives, one hears air raid sirens throughout the day. And Israel is a small country; everyone knows someone who has a family member either killed, taken hostage, or badly injured.
The IDF was not prepared. The army does not have enough battle gear; bullet proof vests, battle helmets, communication devices, and such. Many soldiers went to war from SHUL, wearing the Shabbos clothes; they need undergarments, socks, warm clothing, battery charges for cell phones, etc. How does an army feed 300,000 soldiers they were not prepared for? And, I could continue, I am sure everyone understands the situation.
And the end is not yet in sight.
But, klal Yisrael reacted, and reacted beautifully. The entire klal Yisrael were gathering to say T'hilim right after havdalah, black hat, shtreimel, all types of yarmulkes, and even no kippos, men, women, kids. And the t'filah gatherings continue. Women are baking and cooking and sending so much food to the soldiers. Men are going to the stores, buying whatever they can and delivering it to the soldiers.
As chairman of Eretz HaKodesh, I called our Israeli team into action. They contacted our friends in the Knesset, and in the army, inquiring what the soldiers really require. They contacted soldiers on the frontlines and asked them, "What are you missing?" They told us, and in order of priority, bullet proof ceramic vests, battle helmets, and such battle gear. Eretz HaKodesh went into action. (Please remember, the day after Shabbos/Simchas Torah in Israel was Sunday when most businesses in the USA are closed, and Yom Tov Sheni when the American Torah community was still celebrating Yom Tov). One team opened a website, a charity campaign to be ready to launch after Yom Tov in America. Another team started contacting manufacturers of military gear in Israel and the USA, to be in a position to purchase that gear. Monday, we went into full battle mode. We began to purchase the gear, arrange to get it shipped to Israel, started the fundraising, etc. Word got out and soldiers started contacting us with their needs; remember everyone knows someone in the IDF.
As I write this, we are expecting a shipment of 1,000 bullet proof vests, that is $650,000. And many more have been ordered. We are purchasing underclothes, blankets, warm coats, phone charger battery packs, and the list goes on. Yes, there are many groups doing what they can; and everyone of them is needed. Eretz HaKodesh is buying, in most cases, directly from the manufacturer, and delivering the items, directly to the soldiers. We have spent money we have not yet raised.
This war will not be over anytime soon; we must be there in every way possible to support our soldiers on the frontlines, and their families. We need to support the families of those taken hostage. We need to support those injured, and their families.
Eretz HaKodesh will iy"h continue to raise the funds to purchase the military gear; the soldiers need another 5,000 bullet proof vests and battle helmets; that is multi millions of dollars. We need your support. Visit https://thechesedfund.com/eretzhakodesh/acheinu.
Please, be educated, stay informed. Please speak out in support of Israel. They are acheinu, we must be there for them.
We pray that HaKadosh Baruch Hu keeps our soldiers and all of klal Yisrael safe.
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Rabbi Pesach Lerner is chairman of the Eretz HaKodesh party in the WZO. Eretz HaKodesh represents Torah Jewry in Israel’s national institutions, and beyond. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
