Golani Soldiers Share Deep Struggles with Faith in Budapest
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Dozens of Golani Brigade soldiers visited a Chabad House in Budapest for a period of respite after the Swords of Iron War. One soldier shared his profound despair and faith crisis stemming from witnessing atrocities on October 7th. A Chabad emissary offered spiritual guidance, urging him to draw strength from Jewish tradition and faith to overcome his struggles and continue his mission.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Dozens of Golani Brigade soldiers visited a Chabad House in Budapest for respite.
- One soldier shared deep despair and faith struggles after witnessing October 7th horrors.
- He recounted that only 16 of his 24-man platoon survived the initial attack.
- A Chabad emissary offered spiritual guidance and perspective on faith and resilience.
- The soldier vowed to continue fighting and overcome his challenges.
Dozens of Golani Brigade soldiers visited the Chabad House 'Keren Or' in Budapest, Hungary, for a few days of respite and strengthening following their experiences in the Swords of Iron War. The trip was facilitated by community members Aviv and Zada, along with the Golani Association.
During a dinner at the Chabad House, Rabbi Shmuel Raskin, a Chabad emissary, offered words of encouragement to the soldiers, wishing them joyful lives despite their hardships. After the meal, one young soldier approached the rabbi, expressing feelings of "total despair" and profound existential questions.
The soldier recounted witnessing "the most horrific things a person can see" during the October 7th Hamas attack, which left 16 out of his 24-man platoon alive. He shared that his deep despair and faith struggles made it difficult to maintain his religious observance, which he had practiced since childhood.
Rabbi Raskin embraced the soldier and offered a perspective on faith and purpose. He suggested that the soldier's willingness to risk his life for the Land of Israel and the Jewish people stemmed from a deep belief in their eternal connection to the land. The rabbi argued that succumbing to despair would mean the enemy's victory, emphasizing that Jewish resilience throughout history has been rooted in faith and tradition. He urged the soldier to draw strength from this heritage.
The soldier, deeply moved, embraced the rabbi and vowed to continue fighting and overcoming challenges. The rabbi concluded by referencing the biblical commandment to Abraham, "Lech Lecha," symbolizing the call for each person to advance beyond their limitations and fulfill their mission in the world.