Joining the IDF

I'm 18, and go to Florida Atlantic University, studying business. But I once studied at Alexander Muss High School in Israel when I was a Junior in High school and ever since then I have felt a burning desire to join the ranks and become an IDF soldier. I have also considered fighting for the Unites States. But I'm not motivated enough to fight in the proxy battles in Afghanistan. I want to join up with my Jewish family, so we can live forever! I plan to study Hebrew next semester, then I may drop out of here and enlist. To fight in the holy land is an honor, and I honor you Yeshia by leaving your family in L.A. To sacrifice the partying, women, and fun of college for the service of our people. But I'm sure to you and now to me, we understand the aliveness in being in a unit. In fighting evil. In stopping radical Islam! I even had a tiny bit of training in Gadna, (The American IDF week program) and I loved it. If God wills it, I will see you one day. -Dylan (18) Jewish Reformed/Conservitive

I am 15 and planning on joining the idf when i am out of high school. I would like to be a medic and serve whatever the full term is for a soldier. I then want to study medicine and become a surgeon through college in Israel.

i want to join the israeli army very badly. i live in new york. im an orthodox jew going to yeshivah my whole life. after high school i want to learn in israel for 6 months and join the army for 6 to 8 months. is this possible? what is the maximum?

I wish i could join you in your fight for israel. But, Im in the U.S. Air Force. Maybe still we`ll fight together some day.

I think it is amazing what you are doing and I wish I could be right there besides you in the IDF. I am jealous of you for the opportunity to spend that much time in Israel. I would love to join the IDF after I graduate from college but it is already too late for me to join (even if I dropped out) since females must be under 20 by enlistment date and I would pretty much have to be on a plane tomorrow to meet that requirement. Enjoy your time and thank you for what you are doing for Israel.

As a former USMC sniper and soldier of 10 years, i've seen my share of evil all over the world. I, however, have not seen such an ideology of evil since the days of Adolph hitler! These terrorists will and must be stopped!

For the past few months I've felt such a strong call to Israel,especially now after this war with the Hezbollah,it's only gotten stronger.I was born of a orphaned Jewish mother who was raised Christian,I myself was raised Catholic;but the powerful connection to Israel remains.I am the only member of my family that conciders himself Jewish at all & I'm still willing to make every effort,leave everything I have here in the U.S. to serve in the I.D.F.Home is where the heart is,& that home is Israel.

Yeshia, i really admire you for what your doing,especially because i am unable to do it myself. not only am i not jewish,but according to the IDF i am too old to join,eventho i have 8 years experience in the American Infantry. so,go give the sons of mohammid hell for those of us who can't be there. you are a good man and your family should be very proud.

I may not be an Israeli but I would love to be and my dream would be to serve in there military. If there is anyone out there who can help me fulfill this dream please contact me at barean83@yahoo.com Thank you. Shalom.

Good luck, and G-d be with you.

Is it necessary for someone to speak Hebrew to join the IDF? Like the Marine's earlier comment, I'm in the National Guard and served active duty in the U.S. Air Force. How would I go about joining the IDF? My thoughts and prayers go out to all the Israeli's in this righteous campaign.

Im a 22 year old american marine, and was wondering how do i join the IDF when my enlistment in the marine corps is up

Yeshia:

What an excellent article you have written. After I read it I had to see what else you have on aish.com and saw you have 1 other article. Read it and enjoyed it as well. Back to this current article.... Your struggle on which army to join was thought provoking and your ultimate decision was based on a loyalty that is very well placed. May G_d continue to bless you and keep you. I look forward to reading your future articles.

You're doing the right thing. As a Christian, European Belgian, I want to let you know that I admire people like you, and am proud of the state of Israel and it's struggle to keep going, despite all evil-wishers and do-ers. Stick together, stand together, fight together. Here in Europe, many people are looking at Israel and admiring it's courage and strength, even if it is not always reflected in the statements's our not so beloved rulers make. G_d bless you all.

I support Isreal in this attempt to free these three capture(sorry, kidnapped) soldiers. These terrorists are supplied arms and leadership from syrian crimnals. I only hope that all Jewish decent peoples step up and help finally crushing these murders, rapist, and ungodly animals. Yes animals. They do not want peace. instead they want totally annilation of the jewish state. There is only one way to deal with these animals. Stick to our guns and totally crush them once and for all.....Praise god and the jewish people....

Shalom to All:
I am sadden by our IDF Soilders be taken hostage. It is time for Isreal to do the very right thing and once and for all punish the Arabs for destablizing the region.

I am Proud to be a Jew, support Isreal and IDF. I am a U.S. Navy Gunnersmate First Class Petty officer and would love to go over and join the fight. In the very same way Pinchas and Kahane did to try and bring REAL PEACE to Isreal. It does not matter how old you are as long as you have the will and believe. Our people have been on this planet for over 5800 yrs and its time to show the world the truth behind the Arab lies. Be strong,safe,keep your heads down, and shoot straight.
Shalom to all

You inspire everyone with a love and concern of Israel to be all they can be! I thank you for your bravery, and commitment for doing what is in our heart, and leading by example. Would the IDF take a 51 year old Real Estate Investor?

Achoice has been made by obviously a fine young man.I look at it as a sence of duty and this fellow is keen to meet the obligation to protect the state and ALL her people.There is no deeper meaning, so dont look for it,he is doing what he is doing!I say well done.

I think what you did was the right thing, I admire you. Joining the American army does'nt even compare with joining the Israeli army. America is a nice country but protecting Israel is more important. I'm not jewish I think you are a very brave young man

I wish I would've gone to Israel and joined the IDF when I was in my twenties. Now, I'm in my forties and deep in my heart wish I could've served in the Israeli Army. What a great blessing!!

dude, dont ask that. are you serious? you really think the israeli army isnt helping at all? just think of all the terror attacks that they, with HaShem's help have stopped.

even if they saved one life (which is clearly not the case and is WAAAY more than that), then its called "helping."

Wow! What a great testimony of love for Israel! I admire and greatly commend you for your courage to stand and fight literally with Israel, our homeland.

while i appreciate your idealism and mesiras nefesh i dont understand your decision you say you wnat to help your fellow nation but ths past year weve all seen how teh army isnt really helping its citizens. unfortunately, teh goverment haev been making its young soldiers do harder work (even emotionally) than defending its alnd. teh disengagement last year and everything taht went with it is not helping your nation. i haev always wante dto join teh isreali army also but now my desire has changed to volontering in sheirut leumi or in any oterh form taht will relaly help my brothers and not destroy tehir lives...tehre area many sides to "TEH ARMY" AND ONE HAS TO look at all of tehm

Please explain why putting on a uniform creates a sense of fraternity that did not exist before. Please also explain why that fraternity is more keenly felt towards others in uniform, but not as much to other Jews, such as the expelled of GK, yeshiva students, etc. May the G-d of the Hosts of Yisrael protect you with all Jews, in Israel and all over the world.

I had occasion to meet a few young guys who had recently finished their time in the Israeli army while I was holidaying in New Zealand where I live.I was very impressed with their attitude and outlook on life.They were fine ambassadors for their country.

I'm glad to hear that an American is coming to join the Israeli Army, an experience I missed due to a low profile. But I hope he is aware of the fact, that unless he claims that the IDF drafted him against his will, there is a good chance that he may lose his American citizenship. No matter the relations between the USA and Israel, as far as American law is concerned, willingly serving in armed forces of any country other than those of the US is against the law - enough to lose the US citizenship. I know - my sister went through the whole proccess when she was drafted into the IDF (just in time for the Yom Kippur war in 1973).

King David and God's Promise

1 Samuel 18 - 2 Samuel 7

As David was a man after Hashem's own heart, so are you Yeshia!

Yeshia, I am in awe and truly inspired by your dedication to Israel and your commitment to take action. I am sending blessings for a peaceful and safe experience. Have an awesome adventure.

DONT BE NAIVE. the idf is a political means and is endangering jews. look whats happenning in SDEROT & ASHKELON!! even if you're in leave immediatley!!

I like this article, among the many articles on this site. I've been thinking of joining the IDF, i'm interested but my parents would disagree. What's the process of joining the IDF?

Dear Yeshaya,
I just read you article. Wish you hatzlacha.
Binyamin Levin.

You certainly do live up to your last name, Yeshia. As the mother of three sons who went through the IDF (my youngest is still in) and aunt to a nephew who is also going to serve as a volunteer, I enjoyed your article very much. Only one thing I don't understand - why after such an amazing experience, would you want to leave Israel and return to Lala land?

"What's an American teenager like me doing signing up to the Israel army?"

because its a mitzvah to save jews' lives and to preserve torah.

"I am not saying everyone should pack their bags and make aliya"

well, you should. you're saying it yourself israel is the place to be. why arent we there yet?

when it comes out in america--buy it! a book called "ki mitorah teitzei tziyyon: eretz yisrael in the parashah" written by my rebbe r' moshe d lichtman. great book; recommended for everybody.

maybe we'll see each other. when you going in?

It is wonderful thing when you see a young man from an affluent way of life in the USA to join the IDF.

Yeshia,

You raise a an interesting and controversial issue. Is it admirable to leave the USA during a time of war to enlist elsewhere with the intention of returning to America after completeing service in a foreign army?If an 18 year old Israeli youth who also had American citizenship decided to leave Israel and serve in the US army with plans to return to Israel what do you think would be the reaction of the Israeli public? America is engaged in a war in Iraq and there is a serious shortage of capable recruits. It seems to me that your service is needed in the US military . You grew up in the USA and your intention to return to LA after you complete military service is a decision that makes me question your choice. You state that you are a Jew first.That does not obligate you to serve in the IDF. It appears to me that you are primarily serving yourself first by serving in the IDF.I would guess that the way to best serve both Israel and the USA would be to do your military service in the country were you were born and raised and clearly would benefit from your service, and then move to Israel which I suspect would benefit from your aliyah more than from your military service.That said I can understand your choice and might make the same one if in your situation myself.The majority of young American Jews your age don't choose either option.I believe either one is admirable although as stated I'm uneasy with your choice. If you had no plan to return to live in the USA I might believe differently.May you be blessed to return from your service in peace and good health.