Valley Torah recently had the opportunity to host IDF soldiers who came to speak about their experiences in the army. We were able to hear from both active-duty soldiers and reservists, coming from different branches and backgrounds. Even though they varied in age and role, one message stayed consistent throughout.

Across their stories, many of them talked about moments that felt like miracles and how grateful they were to be alive and able to share their experiences with us.

Living in America, we’re used to a certain level of safety. We’re not constantly dealing with the stress of potential attacks or missile strikes. In Israel, that reality is different. There are threats on multiple levels—physical, mental, and cultural. Antisemitism is still very real, and attacks can happen without warning. The mental pressure alone is intense.

Despite all of this, soldiers continue to stand their ground and do what they’re trained to do. It’s easy to take that for granted from a distance. There’s truly something worth recognizing about the resilience, strength, and sense of purpose that keeps them going.

As we go through our daily lives with relative stability, it’s worth keeping that perspective in mind, and taking a moment to appreciate the people putting themselves in those situations, while hoping for their safety and success.