I am writing from base while on shemira duty (guard duty). I have just returned from Gaza for a three day rest. A recent hot topic this past month in Gaza was the question of where we will be for Purim. This started with Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph. We soon realized that we would be leaving before Purim for a few days, at some point, which meant that we would be in Gaza for Purim. People didn’t like this idea so much and, now, here we are on Rosh Chodesh Adar Bet, so let’s break it down… Questions arose: “How will we get alcohol into Gaza?” We asked, “What will we do for seuda, what about Megillah etc etc.”

So, I finally told some of the guys here, being in Gaza for Purim—I think—is the epitome of Purim. The true essence of Purim from all directions: 1) It’s the true meaning of venahafoch hu—we are literally living in an upside-down world. Away from home in a foreign place where people are trying to kill us. We have no actual electricity. We live disgustingly, instead of in clean living spaces. We eat canned food. The list just goes on… 2) Even without alcohol, I think spending Purim in Gaza will truly capture what it means to achieve ad delo yada. Until you don’t know the difference… Why? Because everything about being at war is unknown. When will my next meal be? Will we have a minyan today? Will I even have enough time to put on tefillin? And yet again, this list goes on and on… So while this will be a different Purim—likely without actual Megillah reading, mishloach manot and matanot l’evyonim—I think this Purim will be one of of the most meaningful and spiritually uplifting experiences fighting back against Amalek, just as the Jews of Shushan HaBira did all those years ago.

Zach is a lone soldier in Handassa Kravit (combat engineering) and believes everyone should move to Israel. He grew up in Teaneck.