By COLlive reporter
A deeply moving account shared by Israeli journalist Amihai Attali is drawing attention to a remarkable Kiddush Hashem carried out by a Chabad shliach serving in the IDF reserves.
Rabbi Yosef Glitzenstein, a shliach in his community, is known locally as a source of warmth, energy, and constant inspiration. Alongside his rabbinic work, he maintains a professional career as a lawyer and holds a significant position at a bank. Yet those close to him say his defining trait is his unwavering sense of shlichus, which fuels his tireless efforts on behalf of others.
When the war broke out following the October 7 attacks, Rabbi Glitzenstein enlisted in the IDF reserves for the first time at age 36—despite being a father of nine at the time. Since then, he has accumulated hundreds of days in active reserve duty, often serving through Shabbosim and Yomim Tovim, consistently maintaining a positive and upbeat attitude.
Fellow soldiers reportedly joked about his willingness to accept every assignment without hesitation, even suggesting he was being given extra tasks. But Rabbi Glitzenstein, Attali noted, met every challenge with a smile, never complaining and always stepping forward first.
Over the course of the war, his family continued to grow. Since October 7, two more children were born, bringing the total to eleven. Even so, shortly after each birth, he returned to extended reserve duty—leaving behind his wife, who manages their large household and has been described as “a legend in her own right.”
Scenes from family support gatherings for reservists underscore the scale of that sacrifice, with the eleven Glitzenstein children—ranging in age from infancy to early teens—often seen together as a lively presence among the families.
This week, as his latest reserve stint concluded, Rabbi Glitzenstein was awarded a certificate of excellence by his unit—recognizing his diligence, initiative, dedication, and consistently positive spirit.
For Attali and others who served alongside him, the impact went beyond military performance. His conduct as a proud, committed Chassid left a lasting impression on those around him.
“There is no doubt,” Attali wrote, “that through his service, the hearts of dozens of soldiers were opened—seeing firsthand the kind of beautiful results authentic Yiddishkeit can produce.”
Despite holding the rank of a simple private, Rabbi Glitzenstein’s fellow soldiers saw something far greater.
“He is a Chassid, a rabbi, 39 years old, a father of eleven,” Attali reflected. “And with all that, his rank may be low—but he is truly a general.”
He was trained by the Rebbe, the greatest general!