What the Battalion Commander Told Me

I am writing to you with a heart that is both heavy and deeply inspired, after returning from an IDF base and spending time with a remarkable battalion, (unnamed for security reasons.)

Thank G-d, Ran Gvili, Hy"d, has been returned to us. But it is a mistake to think the war is over.

While we sleep safely in our beds, these soldiers are awake until dawn— on dangerous missions, neutralizing terrorists, and making sure the threat never reaches our homes. After brief sleep they awaken to plan the next mission. They are doing what many would call impossible. Yet they’re doing it and they are succeeding mightily.

But no soldier fights alone.

The strength of our army is the strength of the wives and families behind it.

I sat with one of the soldiers—a normally cheerful, upbeat man—who, holding back his tears, quietly shared with me the price his family continues to pay. On October 7th, he rushed out the door to defend us all. Two years later, the war also lives in his home. His 11 year old daughter is afraid to sleep in her own bed. His 5 year old son has begun wetting the bed from the stress of his father's absence.

A soldier told me that his young children cannot bear seeing him in his uniform, so he keeps civilian clothes in his car for when he comes home to visit.

Make no mistake, these children are proud of their father. They believe in what he is doing.But their pride does not cancel their fear—and although they’re improving, time alone does not heal their wounds.

What is the remarkable truth?

This battalion has 120% participation.

While many other units struggle to fill their ranks after two years of miluim (reserve duty,) this unit consistently has more soldiers showing up than required. Men volunteer to come back. They choose to stay. Why?

Because their commanding officer understands a vital truth:When the home is fortified, the soldier is fearless.

The army provides weapons, training, and armored vehicles. But it is not built to provide the nuanced emotional care required by wives and children carrying the prolonged burden of war. That is where HaTzadik.Org together with Torah u’Gvura join forces with the commanding officer to ensure that:

Children feel part of the mission.Through gifts and family fun days, these children learn that the army did not simply “take their father away” to war. When a child reaches a milestone—or, G-d forbid, is hospitalized—we send a clear message: your father’s service has not left you behind — our young heroes come to feel part of their father’s battalion and the purpose he is serving.

Wives are never left alone.From flowers after a birth, to hands-on assistance when the burden becomes overwhelming, we support the women carrying the home front. Because when a mother is strengthened, the entire family—and the soldier defending Israel—is strengthened as well.

Connection, morale, and marriages are protected.Through personalized gestures, shared moments, and carefully designed marriage workshops and retreats, we help couples withstand the quiet, cumulative strain of prolonged military service—so that love, stability, and resilience endure.

This model works.

That is why this battalion continues to show up—again and again.

But our success has revealed a painful truth:The impact of the war is for the long-term, and these families need committed partners beyond the battlefield.

The commander emphasized to me: "Equipment can wait. Emotional stability cannot.When we fortify the wives and children today, we secure the strength of tomorrow."

Will you partner with us to support these families and bring this model to other battalions as well?

Your donation provides personal care, emotional support, and a strong safety net for wives and children—strengthening the homes that sustain everything else.

Our heroes don’t sleep at night so that we can. Let’s make sure their families can sleep a little easier, too.

What is the simplest way to help the Families on the Front Line?

Donate today at HaTzadik.Org!

To donate in Shekels and other currencies please click here for Torah u’Gvura’s donation page, hosted by the Ari Fuld Project. (The page is operational although still under construction. Thank you for your patience.)

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With deep gratitude for your support and prayers for the safe return of all our soldiers to their civilian lives,

Moshe

Rabbi Moshe Jordan Yasgur

HaTzadik.Org

Keren HaTzadik USA / Rabbi Aryeh Levin Fund

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Teaneck, NJ 07666