B”H

Our Dearest Son,

Words cannot describe the immense pride that we feel for you at this time.

Your accomplishments are beyond what we have done for ourselves.

Your move to Israel was an immense undertaking.

Your learning the language and acclimating to the culture was a feat greater than climbing a mountain.

And then to join the IDF as an officer and lone soldier was a tremendous contribution to the Jewish people.

The IDF is the living, breathing embodiment of God’s promises to the Jewish people.

Our forebears were subjected to centuries of uncountable humiliations and predations but remained steadfast in their faith.

This has been validated by your actions and that of your comrades in Israel.

Every step you take there and every breath you draw there while in uniform is a prayer in itself.

We understand that you are facing a challenging week.

You can draw upon your upbringing and training and knowledge that everything for good will be successful with God’s assistance.

Being part of the effort to triumph over the enemies of our people is a deed of immeasurable and timeless worth.

You have brought honor to yourself, your family and your community.

With all our love,

Mom and Dad

(My son is a lone soldier who made aliyah two years ago. He is an officer in the IDF but not in a combat unit—so he says).