In the heart of the combat zone near Gaza, where dust and tension are part of daily life, a powerful moment of kedusha took place this week.
The organization Ezer LaChayal officially inaugurated a beautiful, state of the art mikvah, the first ever built inside an IDF base on the Gaza border.
The project was led by Ezer LaChayal Chairman Eliyahu Gutman and his dedicated team. The idea began when organizers recognized a growing need among soldiers serving on the front lines who wanted access to a mikvah while stationed at the base.
Once approval was granted, the team moved quickly. Despite the challenges of building inside an active combat zone, construction was completed within just a few weeks. The result is a magnificent, clean, and fully halachically compliant mikvah serving soldiers on site.
Since its opening, the mikvah has quickly become a central part of life on the base.
Hundreds of religious, Chareidi, and Chabad soldiers immerse daily before heading out on operational missions. Even more moving is the steady flow of soldiers and commanders who are not yet observant, who come to immerse and experience the sanctity of the space.
The sight of Jewish soldiers preparing spiritually before defending the Jewish people brings to life the possuk, “And your camp shall be holy,” reminiscent of the army of King David.
Ezer LaChayal expressed deep gratitude to the donors for their partnership and to R’ Rami Sharabi, CEO of Kfar Chabad Magazine, who accompanied the project from its inception.
Special thanks were extended to those who invested heart and soul into the effort: Rabbi Shlomo Surulovitz, Rabbi Yaakov Susi, Chabad shliach on the base who first identified the need, Rabbi Dudi Zehavi, Rabbi Meir Mulkandov, Rabbi Tzvika Steinmetz and Yitzchak Almakayes of Netivot, who handled the plumbing with professionalism and dedication.
“There is no doubt that Jewish warriors immersing in a mikvah every day before defending the People of Israel provides the ultimate spiritual and physical protection,” said Ezer LaChayal Chairman Eliyahu Gutman.
The mikvah and the purity it brings are dedicated in loving memory of: Moshe Zev Halevi ben Chaim Shlomo Yosef, z”l, Major Omri Chai, Hy”d, ben Oren v’Revital Suzi ben Moshe, z”l, a commander in the Paratroopers Brigade who gave his life defending our nation and land.
That’s impressive. Chazak ve ematz.
Wondering how they got rain water to fill it up 🤔
in every city that does not currently have a mikvah but yet which has jews in it? especially where they r hours from a mikveh?
can build one of these mikvehs. i notice a lot of places dont build one because they say they cant afford it, but yet, they are really just talking about a really spa like fancy mikveh. they should be building one of these! or something cheaper