Israel News

A Lone Soldier’s Story of Tefillin on the Borders of Gaza

Sometimes known as “phylacteries,” Tefillin are small black boxes made from leather that contain inscribed pieces of parchment written by a trained Sofer (scribe), with long leather straps to hold them in place. Worn on the head and arm respectively, these incredibly powerful spiritual objects are considered by many to be life-changing, but to a young IDF soldier stationed on the dangerous borders of war-ravaged Gaza, one could say that wearing Tefillin proved to be lifesaving.

For Joshua, an American boy who grew up in a secular, but strongly Zionistic home in Idaho, Joshua’s first time donning Tefillin happened at the Kotel when he was 17, as he came across a group of Lubavitcher Hasidim promoting the mitzvah of Tefillin. After learning he was Jewish, the Hasidim helped Joshua put on the Tefillin and recite the bracha, and the experience left Joshua feeling like a massive weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

Several years later, Joshua would make the decision to move to Israel and enlist in the Israeli Army as a Lone Soldier, and in 2017, he was deployed to the Gaza border along with his sniper team amid rising tensions following President Trump’s announcement recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Finding himself in a deadly, brutal landscape and told by his commanding officer to “make peace with God because you don’t know if you’re going to make it home,” Joshua and his fellow combat soldiers committed themselves to putting on Tefillin each day, hoping that by fulfilling this mitzvah, God would be with them and protect them from harm.

By early 2018, it seemed as though Joshua had encountered the gates of hell itself, with animosities between Israel and Gaza at a critical point and violence and rioting becoming a near-daily occurrence. Nevertheless, even in this bleak, ruthless environment, the hand of God could still be felt. Although he was surrounded by a sea of enemies, Joshua remained resilient and dedicated to wearing Tefillin, holding onto to his belief that God would have his back. With his Tefillin as his spiritual bulletproof vest, Joshua persevered and made it home with his faith intact and stronger than ever. He is now out of the army, but his drive to wear Tefillin daily is here to stay.

 

JWS POST YOU MAY LIKE

timon-studler-sjynUnr9ikA-unsplash-scaled-1-2048x1152
What Does It Mean To Be in the IDF Reserves?
In light of the ongoing Israeli war against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, we’ve compiled a list of recommended organizations to donate
AdobeStock_516297547
Everything You've Wanted to Know About the Star of David
The Star of David is a six-pointed star made up of two equilateral triangles superimposed over each other. From its place on
Kein Titel (8.5 x 11 Mailing Label) - 13
The Mighty Lion of Judah
The Lion of Judah, or אריה יהודה, Aryeh Yehudah in Hebrew, is a powerful and ancient Jewish symbol. It represents
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
What Does the Hamsa Mean in Judaism?
The Hamsa is one of the most popular Jewish and Middle Eastern symbols, often hung in homes or worn as
395566619_738376234998526_6045063496518425716_n
The Meaning & Significance of 'Am Yisrael Chai'
  The phrase “Am Yisrael Chai” can be translated as “The People of Israel Live” or “The Nation of Israel
Group of aircraft fighter jet airplane. Israel flag. Independence day. 3d illustration
10 Incredible Facts About the Israeli Air Force
One of the most famous branches of the Israel Defense Forces is the Air Force, considered among the best in