„The physical exercise in which the young men of Israel engage in the…”

The strength of the body is a vital force. A person healthy in his body is a person who is in a more positive place than one whose body is not healthy.

The will for a better world does not pass only through spiritual studies. It touches all areas of life, and the work of the body and physical labor are part of it.

A better world is a world in which each one does and develops the thing in which he is better. And each is enriched by his fellow.

Rav Kook absorbed torrents of scorn over this passage. How right he was.

The State of Israel stands, with God's help, upon the strength of young men. Upon training and weaponry. Upon brilliant minds and upon precision in marksmanship and in striking the enemy.

The powers of body, the powers of intellect, the powers of soul and spirit, together with the spiritual powers, cause the people of Israel to live in their land in security.

Without this fusion we would have continued to live the dream and would not have been able to draw a hair's breadth closer to it.

This is the answer to all those who call the soldiers of the IDF "apostates." There is immense grief over the disgrace of the Torah, the disgrace of the nation, and the disgrace of our soldiers. Let us pray that in this month everything will turn to the good.

Good week and good month.

For the success of all our soldiers everywhere.

(Photo: IDF Spokesperson website)