While everyone else was heading away from the North, they drove toward it—straight to the line of fire.
Hours before the ground maneuver in Lebanon began and IDF forces entered to fight Hezbollah, a special “Field Unit” from Ezer LaChayal headed to the northern front. While most people were evacuating the area, they were driving toward the danger zone.
What started as the distribution of hygiene kits, winter gear, and morale boosters quickly turned into a powerful display of mission and faith: “Masses of soldiers simply stood in line to put on Tefillin.” The mission included the “Letter in the Sefer Torah” campaign, distributing Chitas books for protection, and offering words of encouragement.
The unit’s journey began at the northwestern border, passing through Nahariya and Rosh HaNikra, continuing to the eastern edge toward the Golan Heights, and eventually returning through Tiberias to Kfar Chabad. They moved between staging areas where troops awaited the order to enter Lebanon.
One of the Temimim (Chabad students) who took part in the mission shared his experience: “I saw it from an incredible perspective. You come to treat them with gear and snacks, but what they wanted most was a ‘treat’ for the soul. Dozens of soldiers stood in line with an immense desire to put on Tefillin.”
Facing the planned entry into Lebanon, a deep desire to strengthen their faith was evident among the fighters. “There was an amazing willingness,” the team members shared. “Soldiers who hadn’t put on Tefillin for a long time asked to ‘arm’ themselves spiritually. We felt that the Tefillin gave them the strength and confidence they so desperately needed in those moments.”
The atmosphere on the ground was uplifting. The soldiers thanked the volunteers for coming all the way to the front lines to remind them that the entire Nation of Israel stands behind them—in body and spirit.
We pray that, with Hashems help, they defeat Hezbollah and return home to their families healthy and whole.
