We’ll call him Gabi (not his real name), a most unlikely recruit. None of us had any idea how and why he had gotten into our unit — he was overweight, to put it mildly, and was always the … more

An open road on a beautiful day, with your kids in the back seat, maybe even a picnic lunch; what could be more perfect? I will always wonder what Tali Hatuel, eight months pregnant, with her … more

Literally translated, Acharei-Mot-Kedoshim means “after the death of the holy ones,” a reference that is all too appropriate following weeks that included Yom HaShoah, Yom HaZikaron and … more

In September 2000, in the wake of the second intifada, my unit was activated up as part of the massive call-up of reserves that occurred as fighting broke out all over the country. We had no idea how … more

A number of years ago, I had an uncomfortable experience. I ran into an old friend who, like me, is an alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion in the Gush. He had started a cutting-edge program for women … more

Previously published. I noticed the jeep in the distance almost immediately; it was impossible to miss. We were on maneuvers deep in the Negev and there was nothing around but us. Twenty minutes … more

I received this story via email: A lady passing a young boy on the street noticed he was entranced by a pair of shoes in a store window. “You’re in such deep thought staring in that … more

In the fall of 2012, Israel was again preparing for war in response to the thousands of missiles being fired indiscriminately from the Gaza Strip into the population centers of southern Israel. As … more

Jerusalem, 722 BCE: The mightiest army on the face of the earth has surrounded the city, bent on conquest and determined to put an end to the Jewish people once and for all. Approximately 35,000 … more

This week’s portion, Tetzaveh, opens with a mitzvah which seems at first glance to be out of place: Hashem tells Moshe: “Ve’Atah Te’tzaveh Et B’nei Yisrael, … more