IDF Beqa Brigade Rabbi Leads Spiritual Resilience Program for Border Soldiers
Captain Rabbi A, the rabbi of the IDF Beqa Brigade, is spearheading a unique initiative called "Doing Spirit" to strengthen the resilience, values, and heritage awareness among soldiers stationed on Israel's eastern border. The program addresses operational fatigue by providing a structured four-month cycle of activities including external lectures, experiential workshops in collaboration with the "Shared Camp" organization, spiritual talks by the brigade rabbi, and guided heritage tours coordinated with education and heritage officers. Each unit independently manages the schedule, with monthly monitoring and reporting to maintain consistent value-based routines alongside operational duties.
Rabbi A, who served in Battalion 932 and later studied and taught in yeshivas before joining the military rabbinate, has extensive experience including serving as the first rabbi of a multi-dimensional unit during combat in Jabalia and as the rabbi of the southern Bedouin reconnaissance battalion near Gaza. Since October 7, he has been responsible for fallen soldiers within the military rabbinate and currently leads the Beqa Brigade's spiritual efforts.
In an interview with Channel 7, Rabbi A emphasized the historical significance the brigade protects and the importance of providing soldiers with a sense of purpose and connection to their mission. He highlighted the close cooperation with the brigade's education officer to advance spiritual and heritage initiatives. The program was developed to combat the unique challenges of prolonged deployments on the eastern border, where soldiers often remain in the same posts, leading to increased weariness.
The rabbi explained that the program aims to reinforce service awareness and mission dedication while fostering a connection to the region. He stressed that a strong spirit is essential for effective defense, stating, "If the spirit is not strong, the soldier will perform less well." The initiative is inclusive, designed for all soldiers regardless of background, with the shared goal of protecting Israel and maintaining operational readiness through spiritual strength.
