Veteran's Day

My son will be joining the IDF very soon, after having made aliyah last summer. At first I was beside myself with fear, but an old friend looked me in the eyes and said "I think that protecting our people is the holiest work a person could ever do." He really touched my heart, and though I will always be afraid for my son, and every other mother's son protecting the State of Israel, I am confident that Hashem will hear my prayers and protect them all..

I've heard you often mention sincere regret at not having lived in Israel and that has obviously rubbed off on your son. He is trying to atone for your missed opportunity. What's ironic is that had you lived here, he would probably not serve at all. In the Haredi world, the army is avoided like a plague, and only out of lack of choice do hareidi boys sometimes enlist. My oldest of four sons is finishing his service in two months, and the other three will likely follow. I hope your son's idealism lasts throughout his service and that he returns strengthened and inspired.

My father was in WW2 as a concentration camp inmate. Now his grandson, my twenty year old, has the zechus to be a soldier and defend our country! How far the Jewish nation has come in less than one hundred years! How happy I am that we have a country to defend-our Israel!!! Every Jewish person can be proud of that!

With all due respect, surely there is merit in that Jewish boys living outside Israel will join IDF. Yet, to me the fact itself is not impressive. Rather the sort of comments Mrs Palatnik mentioned are indeed impressive but in a negative way. I will explain : neither I nor my wife were born Jewish. We converted. We are all observant. We have 2 girls 1 boy. The eldest (girl 20 boy 21) made allyiah for the sake of living a proper Jewish life. The oldest girl and is now in university. The youngest (15) shall leave early next year for the same reasons that made us send the first 2. My son (21) is a mefaked (sort of troop commander) in the tank division where he has been awarded medals for shooting excellency. There is a lot of danger in the army and on a daily basis, far beyond than just in times of actual conflict. Yet, all of this was seen by us as part of the onus of being part Am Israel irrespective of the fears we had. So, to me Jews having second thoughts about risking their children's lives for the sake of our people is really impressive and the fact that this became impressive is even more impressive.

we wish you and your family a blessing from Hashem and may your son and all other soldiers (American ones and Israeli ones) be kept safe. I was surprised to hear you say that except for this year, you never gave veterans day a second thought. wow! the minute september 11 terrorists attacks happened I wished to be able to serve in some way in the service. every shabbos and yom tov I daven for all of the soldiers (American and Israeli).

Our tefillot are with you! It was a pleasure meeting you on the Aish Mission.

Dear Lory, I was profoundly moved by your video. It happens that my son too is preparing to go into the IDF. Like you we get a lot of opinions, but we are sure that he made the right decision, and we totally support him. We miss him very much and pray for the wellbeing of every soldier every day. I hope that we all can live in peace in Israel soon.

I am not observant, but I believe very strongly about the safety of Israel> Your son is very brave to put himself in harm's way. I pray that he retruns to you safely.

Dear Rebbetzin Palatnik: I am thrilled with your son’s love of Israel, and wish him (and all our soldiers) Divine Protection in all their tasks and missions. I am sorry to say that I feel a little disappointed by your comments about his grandmothers. Not because I happen to disagree with their opinions – which are understandably characteristic of their generation – but because by being identified as your son’s grandmothers rather than referred to as “family members,” or “people my son reveres” it’s a schtickel like “outing” them as unsupportive of Israel on an international website. To Mr. Galon (comment #18), I was not born raised in Israel like you and your family, but I truly thank you AND your children for serving in the Israel Defense Forces! I hope your children have remained in Eretz Yisrael, and that you and all of Israel’s émigrés come home soon. Please G-d, may ALL of the Jewish people soon live in a safe and thriving Israel.

May the Almighty watch over your your son as he watches over all of His children. Missed you at the Partners Conference!!!

Lori, when i was 16, it was during Viet Nam. My high school sweetheart had (has) dual citizenship in the US and Canada. He had decided that if his draft number was low, he was going to flee to Canada. We talked about this alot, and i became aware that if someone told me that it was my turn, i would go to Israel, and fight there. Here was are... some (MANY) years later, and i still feel the same way. I am looking forward to making Aliah as soon as I retire, and would still be happy to defend Israel. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings

You are in great company. You know many Aish mothers of sons in the IDF - I have 2 there myself! I loved the Almost Live on Veteran's Day - it is so important to properly honor those who served & serve for our freedom & protection.

I wish your son much success in the IDF. Israel, unfortunately, does not have a "Veterans Day" because just about EVERYONE there serves in the army! I look forward to hearing more about his experience.

Dear Lori, I could see in your face as you spoke of your sons decision that although you will worry about him, you are truly proud of his choice. I believe I know how you feel because in the early '90's my oldest son was one of the Marines who freed Granada and the held the airport in Lebanon while under fire with his fellow Marines till the rest of those withdrawing was completed. I prayed for him daily then and will pray for your son now. By the way he loved the fact that while there he was allowed to take his leave time in Israel. He said it brought Israel to life for him. I will be praying for you also and wish you peace through this time.

I wish i could have a son to serve at the IDF,which I think is the only army in the world that really fights to defend and protect his people,not economic interests abroad,may the one who keeps the gates of Israel keep your kid´s life

That is an amazing thing your son is doing in choosing to defend Israel, the Jewish people, and ultimately the rest of the world by standing against the enemy. Even though we are born here in the exile, the homeland is Israel. Israel has to be defended first and foremost as G-d's land and the only home land for the Jewish nation!! That's our duty as Jews!

May G-d bless your son and all the men and women in the armies working hard for freedom. My nephew will join the Israeli Air Force in January. and I pray that G-d will watch over him and all the soldiers!

When my son wanted to join the USMC I had such mixed emotions. Grateful yet fearful, even more very proud that he chose to defend our country and never able to stand in his way. I had several uncles who fought in WWII and was raised thankful for those who chose to defend us..but, when it came down to it I wanted it to be some other mother's son. Even though Israel may not be the land of his birth, it is the land of promise and he does well to defend her for the day we all will return. Blessings

I am the mother of an American Soldier. He is 26 and he has been deployed in war zones 3 times now. By God's protection, he has thus-far been safe and should be returning to the U.S. at the end of this month. He went into the Army right after graduation from high school, because it was all he had ever wanted to do. We supported him 100%. He was going to get his education but the terrorists struck on his 18th birthday, while he was in basic training and he got a different kind of education. It's been a rollercoaster for us and I dealt with it by writing a book about his communications to us and our reactions to what we were hearing. His little sister dealt with her concerns by writing a song. Journal and share with us, because we truly care. Been there and are still doing that!

There is something very special when a young person decides to join the army ,his desire being to protect and serve his country, but more so the Isreali army. I do commend your son for wanting to fulfil this noble dream, and you and your family too for the encouragement and support you are giving him.May G-d protect him and all the other young men and women as they embark upon new aspect of their lives.

Being Jewish is a religious belief and when it comes to patriotism world wide, if one want to fight a war let it be for their own country. We have a couple of wars going on why not join in if we want to fight ? If anyone wants to join the Israeli forces, Then make Aliyah to justify your choice.

Thursday is Remembrance Day in Canada -- and on the 11th hour of the 11th month, we stop everything and observe a moment of silence. At cenotaphs throughout the country there are solemn ceremonies to honour our war dead. Sadly, at this time, it is not just the men and women who gave their lives in two world wars for our freedom, but over 150 Canadians who have given their lives in Afghanistan. Canadians wear poppies to help us remember, "Lest We Forget" being the slogan of the Royal Canadian Legion. My son-in-law, now studying law in Israel, served in Lebanon, and I am very proud of him. I only pray (since he is in the reserves now) that my daughter will not have to live in constant worry in the future. Lori, you speak beautifully and rightly about your son's decision.

I am Canadian and just returned from volunteering with the Israeli army. My proudest moment was raising the flag of Israel one morning on the base. G-D bless you, your son and the IDF. I wish I was 20 again - I would join them. I miss them so much. I can't wait to go back. Now I want to make aliyah,

Lori's son is fighting in a war of self defense we are commanded to fight. All honor to him. During WWII, I enlisted at age 17 to defend America. We had been attacked.

We know that Esau was given the power and might of army and Yackov (the Jews) were the the voice, Tefilah. This usually means that when in trouble we should pray and not take up arms, BUT.... there are exceptions. We see that in the story of Chanukah where we took up arms against the Helenized Greeks unlike during Purim where we prayed and fasted. During Purim we were physically attacked but we reacted with Prayer, where during Channukah we were spiritually attacked and we reacted with war. The question is based on a Shiur from R. Akiva Tatz. I think that by Purim, there was a decree for us to be killed and therefore taking up arms would have been useless, therefore we needed to pray. By Channukah we had a Spiritual decree against us Jews; therefore we needed to take up arms and fight. In these times of confusion we don’t know, we need both prayer and the army. May we no longer need an army anywhere in the world soon...

My granddaughter is a member of the Army National Guard. She is set to deploy to Afganistan in the near future. As I struggle with my emotions concerning this I must say I am so proud of her for choosing to defend freedom. May we remember all who serve to protect and defend freedom and may HaShem protect them as they do this most dangerous job. I have made a point to stop and thank any person I see in uniform for serving their country. This small gesture never fails to bring a smile and often tears to their faces in appreciation. And the other thing we can all do is daven for these fine men and women.....

I'm so proud of you for supporting your son's decision and encouraging to live his dreams. I am very grateful to your son for doing his part to protect us.

Lori I wish your son well and to be out of harms way. His dedication to Israel is to be commended. That said if he is an American citizen his first duty is the USA. I am a Veteran of the Viet Nam War era and Jewish and my first duty was to the country of my birth. Jewish men and women have proudly served the USA both in war and peace time and that tradition should continue.

I have three wonderful daughters and many of my firends say I feel the way I do is because I don't have sons. That is not true. Before I was married my "dream family was four boys". G-d blessed my with three magnificent girls. However, I grew up in a family where I had uncles who served in WWI, and a younger one who served in WWII and a brother-in-law that inlisted during the Koren War although he did not see combat. I firmly believe that freedom comes with responsibility and I admire and respecit the solders of the United State and Isarel. Thank you again for sharing you life with us.

Your son is welcome to our home in Jerusalem! Please ask aish for our email address

Thank you Lori for your family's stand in contributing to the defense if Israel and the Jewish people. I am Canadian, love and support G-d's Chosen People, and if I was 20 yr's old (again) would willingly join the Israel Military.( Learning Hebrew would be my biggest obstacle ). Blessings.

Your son is welcome to Israely army,I am a like a Veterans after 30 years servis in Israel navy 'I say to him welcome to us,and I wil be gled to be with him inconnect to help him in Israel

We too gave our son backing when he volunteered for the IDF; he's just made aliyah at 21 with our full blessing. He would tell curious questioners about how we felt that: "Mum is a little anxious(!!!) and Dad really jealous" (the 6-day war was over before Dad could get there!). And Lori, what bridge-building between secular and religious Jews: the barriers come TUMBLING down, including between secular Israelis and ourselves. Our sons' service in the IDF helps unite the Jewish nation; it certainly unites all we Jewish mothers. With very best wishes.

Lori, as always you hit bullseye what we all need to hear. I agree with number 2, you will learn so much about connecting up to the jewish nation. When two soldiers were kidnapped I had two sons serving on the same base. When I heard that my boys were safe, for a minute I rejoiced, and then realized, but those are someone else's boys. I cried for those boys, men, in a way that I had never cried before. Six of my sons have served in the army, and I wish you only good news from him the whole term, and joy for you.

My son completed his 21/2 years of service in the IDF this past April. He was in the GAZA war, though he did not tell us until it was over. Our entire family is so proud of him and all of "our boys". Just know that our faith in God helped us tremendously.The experience had a profound effect on him and everyone who knows him. He is the first hero in our family. Please God, your son too will be safe.

Everything exists by G-d's Word. Your Son's courage and Love for Israel and your family speaks across the ages. He is a Mensch! From strength to strength!

Thanks for being a role model once more and showing the world that religious people, who have a choice, Americans, go to the Israeli army.

Mazel-tov, Lori, to you and your family on your son's enlistment in IDF. May he be safe from harm and be able to be in regular contact with you, so that you and yours may rest easy. Congratulations to you and your family that you raised such a son.

Even though we've lived in Israel for decades, sending a child to the IDF was very traumatic for us American born parents. We all know the ideological and religious reasons to serve, but when it comes down to your child wearing a uniform, it's another matter. (the biblical Binding of Isaac comes to mind.) I can say that the Israeli Army can be a wonderful experience--socially, emotionally and physically. Your son will make friends, gain leadership skills and mature. May G-d bless and protect all our Israeli soldiers on the land, air, and sea.

Lori, Thank you and of course thank your son for your courage and bravery. Jewish people all over the world appreciate this great sacrifice.

...for being so real...May God protect your son from harms way as he stands up for freedom of Israel...

This week is Veterans. More auspiciously, today, Tuesday, November 9th, was Kristalnacht. All the more reason for all of us to support Lori's son and all of the holy chayalim in the IDF.

I came to Israel from the US 60 years ago and served in operational (air crew) and command duties in the Israel Air Force for over 20 years. My son was born 50 years ago and served as a company commander in the paratroops. Two grandaughters have served in classified tasks in the IDF, and a grandson recently received his 2nd Lt bars in the Combat Engineers. So what, you say, what's this guys point? We are certainly not a militaristic family and everyone in Israel (at least legally) must serve. So, (and excuse me for being blunt) few of you can serve in real classified combat or intelligence posts, because you're not fluent enough in Hebrew and the IDF wont waste time training people who will go back to America at the end of their term of service. Don't think I dont appreciate anyone who comes to serve, but their greatest service is to themselves. So don't break your arm patting yourself on the back. Best of luck.

Lori, You and your husband have raised the finest son. May G-d protect him. You should be very proud.

Dear Lori, may your son be successful and go and return safely and G-d should be with him and all the wonderful people who help sustain all of us each in their own way. May you and your husband and the 'bubbys' see nachas from the whole family. (Please keep us in touch with your dear son's achievments.)

We made aliyah and our son just had finished his three years of combat duty in serving G-d and; protecting the Jewish people in the Land ofIsrael. You had brought him up right and are doing with him a Kiddush Hashem in publicizing his decision.

MAY G-D PROTECT ALL OF US. LORI YOU NEVER LET US DOWN.

We all make choices, and I respect your son's choice to serve and his family's support and I also deeply understand your argument about who stands in our place and does the work that needs to be done. I hope, with all my heart and soul, that people do not have to fight to preserve their freedoms and that somehow, this endless story, of conflict in the Middle East, and beyond, will resolve amicably and forever. I would be very happy if any child of mine worked for Seeds of Peace, and I have great qualms about violence of any kind. It just seems, it doesn't lead us forward, and yet, we do what we do to protect ourselves. It's an endless circle that does involve deep moral and ongoing ethical thought. I want the charm part of harm, namely the closing of the circle, the C, which is aurally SEE. Maybe one day, there will be a sea change in human action and deeply how we think about our relationship to this planet we call home.

I will be praying for your son that G-d will keep him and all of Israel safe.

As always I listen and respect what you have to say. You have come a long way my Dear and I am proud of you. So what did you expect but a young man of very good values. I hear that each of your groups gets better.

Essentially what you are saying is that although it's more comfortable to keep protecting our children for our own calm, it's really better to understand that there are some valid reasons and higher causes that justify certain calculated risks. May God protect all our sons!

You live in America. You enjoy the benefits-- material and otherwise-- of living in America. All the freedom and security you enjoy here was won for you by American soldiers (who, by the way, are in combat operations right now), and yet "normally" you wouldn't give Veteran's Day "much thought!" Well, maybe you should, and not just because your son joined a foreign army. You should give it thought because of what it means to you in this country, and, personally, I am troubled that you raised your child to feel a stronger loyalty to another country while living in this one. Many Jews in the United States-- including me-- feel angry at charges of "dual loyalty," but, in the end, the charge sticks because of this sort of thing.

Lori - I remember approximately one year ago, one of your presentations in which you sat around a table of Israeli soldiers and complained none were from America. It's refreshing to see your son's representation of the US in defending Israel. At length, running the risk of self-serving applause - which this is not, I give, and others should try to give (along side the contributions to Aish) to THE FRIENDS OF ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES and THE FRIENDS OF DISABLED VETERANS OF ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES. Each is on the web. Many of the soldiers are so poor that he or she can't return home on leave. Yashakoach to your son for his enlistment and you for your endorsement

Your son will find his experience educational, exciting, challenging, frustrating, stressful, sometimes boring, and most of all rewarding. If he goes into a combat unit he will have an opportunity to find his limits, and then to go beyond his limits. He will meet people from every corner of Israeli society. He will learn about himself, and he will learn about others. By serving, he will open the door to enter Israeli society as a full member if he so chooses. As a parent, you should support him and encourage him to follow his heart. You should urge him to behave ethically, based on his own values, even when everyone around him would do otherwise. This month, 33 years ago, I also enlisted in the IDF. (My own parents objected.) I served in a combat unit, saw action in Lebanon, and faced many physical, emotional, and ethical challenges. The stories are too numerous to relate here. Despite the hardships, no, because of the hardships I emerged a stronger person in every sense. I wish your son and his parents a safe passage through what will be a singular and life changing experience.

your son must be a very very special boy,well with a mother like you it's not surprising

Your son is walking the walk... a difficult walk, but he's walking. You'lll learn to pray like never before - and we will all up the ante on our prayers too thinking of him, thinking of you and your family, and thinking of all our friends whose 'kids' leave the safety net of our Canadian homes or where ever, to care for Israel. For this, it's worth praying much harder.

Whether one has a son going into the army or not, each of us should always give significant thought and thanks on Veterans Day.

wishing him hatzlacha. my son is finishing his second year in the israeli army. we are so proud of him. we daven every day that g-d watch over all "' our " boys!

Lori, you also will grow while your son is serving in the Army. You will be spending much time in prayer. Your love for Israel will immense, along with your son. Duty to citizenship. Many years ago there was a time this country it was expected and the honorable thing to do was to serve at least 2 yrs being trained to protect this Nation. (with the exception of a few) It may become that way again in the future here in the U.S. It's looking towards that way. Lori, you did the right thing by not trying to talk your son out of his duty in Israel. The way has been paved for Israel to be his homeland. You raised him well!

I could understand why it would be nerve wracking to those who have loved ones enlisting in the army. My husband at one point considered joining the IDF but was rejected for various reasons. To a certain extent, I was relieved upon hearing this. I wouldn't have to endure sleepless nights worrying about his safety. I have a lot of respect and admiration towards those who put their lives in front lines to protect us. That would include your son as well as people I know who are in the military. They are fighting for a noble cause. May G-d bless them and watch over them. These soldiers help ensure the future of the Jewish People with their bravery and courageousness. They deserve all the support and gratitude we have to give them. When you see a soldier, thank him/her for his/her services. Its the least we can do for them.