Shuls in 5 Towns rush tzitzit to front line troops

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The email came July 10 to Rabbi Yotav Eliach, principal of Rambam Mesivta, that the imminent onset of war had come and with the massing of troops an urgent need: tzitzit and siddurim.

Lt. Colonel Rabbi Yedidya Atlas sent the request and it rapidly spread as shuls and organizations in the Five Towns passed on the word for this mitzvah to their members.

Kehillas Bais Yehudah Tzvi (KBYT) in Cedarhurst sent out this email to its members: “As we are all davening for our brothers and sisters in Eretz Yisrael, we have a great opportunity to show hakoras hatov (gratitude) to our brave soldiers and do a wonderful mitzvah as well.”

“There has been a tremendous awakening of teshuvah throughout Israel and especially in the army. Even “not-yet religious” soldiers are asking for tzitzis, the four cornered fringed garment worn to remember all the commandments, and other Torah items. For safety reasons, the army only allows light weight olive green tzitzis which match the uniforms.”

The email continued that these cost $9 and are under the supervision of Rav Simcha HaCohen Kook of Rechovot and the army rabbinate. A pocket size siddur, encased in a transparent thick plastic envelope designed to fit into the soldier’s fatigue shirt pocket, thin enough to be comfortable under his bulletproof vest, can be purchased for $6.

“This project is ideal, a combination of the physical and spiritual,” explained Rabbi Yaakov Feitman of Kehillas Bais Yehudah Tzvi in Cedarhurst.

Rabbi Feitman pointed out that the Jewish uniform is the Talit (prayer shawl), Tefilin and tzizit. When Israeli soldiers combine these with their military uniforms, “it’s beautiful. It’s an amazing phenomenon that not-yet religious soldiers are getting more religious by the minute; some aged 19 to 25 have never worn it and want it. This has a special component with the spiritual nature; it’s very, very important.”

Dr. Yisroel and Susan Samson of Cedarhurst found out about the need via an email from Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz of Beis Haknesses of North Woodmere and notified Rabbi Feitman. “Everyone wants to do something for the chayalim (soldiers),” said Susan Samson. “It’s important for the yeshivot and shuls to support them physically and spiritually; it gives them chizuk, a psychological boost. Hashem watches over them for the mitzvah and they feel Hashem more. Even the not frum want the tzitzit — it makes them feel protected.”

“There is an overwhelming feeling of concern for our brothers and sisters in Israel and love for the chayalim who are defending our people,” said Beis Haknesses Rabbi Aryeh Lebowitz. “Most of us in chutz l’aretz (outside of Israel) feel helpless and are searching for ways to support our chayalim.” Providing them with support for their “spiritual needs is a privilege and an opportunity we don’t want to pass up,” he said.

Rabbi Atlas said that the military’s rabbinate has been raising funds for 15,000 pairs of olive green “dri-fit” tzizit for combat soldiers; the cost for a combat company is $1,800 and for a full battalion $5,000.

Rabbi Atlas said that he is printing 30,000 copies of the Magen Yisrael Tehillim-Siddur for Combat Soldiers at $1.30 each, but will need to at least double that amount.

The Samsons are organizing a women’s “evening of solidarity and sweat” fundraiser this Sunday, Aug. 3, at Club Central in Cedarhurst.

“I’m the collection point for different sources,” said Rabbi Yotav Eliach, principal of Rambam Mesivta in Lawrence. “It should be a bracha on everybody’s head. Mitzvah goreret mitzvah (one mitzvah leads to another).”

For more information go to afidfr.youngisrael.org.