Weekly On-line Rabbi's D'var-Torah
October 02, 2024
23 Elul 5784
Shabbat Shuvah
Parashat Ha'azinu
Israel just announced the name of the first soldier to die as part of the current campaign in Lebanon. His name was Capt. Eitan Itzhak Oster - may his memory be a blessing. He joins a long list of Israelis who did not need to die this past year.
Before his unit went into Lebanon, he took a moment to record a video for his family, which they have released to the public (you can view it here)
He started off his message with a quote from G.K. Chesterton – an early 20th-century British journalist – who said: “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”
He also apologized for not spending enough time with his family, and that he looked forward to rectifying that when the war is over. Sadly, he will not get that opportunity.
One of the themes of the High Holiday season is that we never know how much time we have in this world. So, we shouldn’t squander any of it, and we shouldn’t wait to tell our loved ones how we feel.
We don’t all get to leave behind a thoughtful video before we leave this world. It’s a gift that his family will treasure for a very long time. However, we can all use the High Holidays as an excuse to spend more time with the people we love.
Jodi and the kids join me in wishing you all a happy, healthy and peaceful new year.
L’Shanah Tovah,
RAF.
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