FOR A SOLDIER
Rabbi Tzvi Sytner of The Village Shul is bridging continents and hearts through the simple, yet profound act of keeping Shabbat. Shabbat4Soldiers has emerged as more than just a program; it is a movement, uniting individuals, and families, from across the globe with soldiers serving in Israel, who are unable to observe Shabbat due to their duties.
Rabbi Sytner’s inspiration came during a mission trip to Israel in November, where conversations with soldiers revealed a simple yet heartfelt request: “pray for us” or “do a mitzvah for us”. This led to a groundbreaking idea: what if those who are able to fully observe Shabbat but don’t could do so on behalf of those who normally do but currently cannot? This question was the seed that grew into Shabbat4Soldiers, an initiative that has since inspired an untold number of individuals and families to observe Shabbat, many for the first time.
The essence of Shabbat4Soldiers lies in its fundamental premise: “Those who can, keeping it for those who can’t.” This aligns beautifully with the Gemara’s teaching that if the Jewish people were to keep just one Shabbat fully, they would merit the ultimate geulah. Rabbi Sytner sees this initiative as a powerful tool for unity and spiritual solidarity, especially during these unprecedented times when Jews of all backgrounds are seeking connection and a sense of home.
The impact of Shabbat4Soldiers is deeply felt, resonating profoundly among both the participants and the soldiers they aim to honour. This is vividly captured in the experience of Sasha Liknaitzky-Drutz and David Drutz from Toronto. Their commitment to observe a full Shabbat for Baruch, a soldier stationed in Gaza, serves as a poignant testament to the initiative’s power to forge emotional and spiritual connections across vast distances. Despite being ten thousand kilometres apart, the bond created between the couple and the soldier was immediate and deeply moving.
Baruch’s own words convey the longing and sacrifice felt by many soldiers: “Normally I’m at home with my family observing Shabbat but, unfortunately, when at war, we aren’t able to do this together. I know how important this mitzvah of protecting my country is but wish that I could be back home keeping Shabbat with my family.” His request was simple yet heartfelt, seeking someone to observe Shabbat on his behalf, a gesture that would bring him comfort and a sense of normalcy amid the chaos of service.
In response, David and Sasha embraced the opportunity with open hearts: “We just finished havdallah. We kept Shabbat for you this week, which we don’t normally do. We’re just so happy we got to do this for you… it was so much more special knowing we were doing it on your behalf.” Their actions, a sincere expression of solidarity, underscored the unique beauty of the initiative, turning a ritual observance into an act of profound significance.
“Wow! That’s amazing…. made me feel really great.”
Baruch’s reaction to their efforts was deeply touching: “Wow. That’s amazing. That video was so emotional and made me feel great. I had Shabbat in Gaza and we weren’t able to do any davening or Shabbos meals or anything like that. I really appreciate it – I got emotional watching your video. It made me feel really good and I hope you got as much out of it as I did.” His words highlight the comfort and joy derived from knowing that, despite the impossibility of his situation, his Shabbat was observed by others.
As Rabbi Sytner’s Shabbat4Soldiers continues to grow, it shows the power of Shabbat, the centrality of Israel in our hearts, and the boundless capacity for achdut amongst the Jewish people.
Kashruth Council of Canada | www.cor.ca — 2024 Kosher CORner, Inspiration CORner, p. 74
COR, the Kashruth Council of Canada, is one of the world’s largest kosher certification agencies, certifying thousands of products, restaurants, and facilities. Learn more at cor.ca, or read about our certification services at corkosher.com.