I Swear...

January 9

“David Abraham.” My name had just been read by my commander out of my soon to be personal Tanach, the Jewish book containing the Torah, prophets, and writings – basically, the entire book being that of the Jewish people. All I had to say were two words and I would walk up, receive my personal gun, and I had then become a part of the Israeli army at the next level, ready to take the next step in defending the land that I love.

I reared back all of the energy I had in my body, ready to scream these words. This was a symbolic moment that I had been waiting for since thinking about the army. This was the bridge between finishing basic training and starting my classes on the tank. My heart started beating fast and then I belted out in full voice two words that meant I was giving my 110% to Israel. “אני נשבע! I SWEAR!”

These are two words that are never supposed to be used in vain. I was swearing on the words of G-d that I would protect his land and his people. I couldn’t help but smile as I saluted the general of our division of soldiers as he handed me my gun, my Tanach, and I placed them together over my heart. Chills and emotions filled my body – I really felt as though I had become more a part of the society of Israel, the army more specifically. Next, as we put our guns in a specific position, Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem was played – my national anthem. I was overcome with pride and small tears came to my eyes. The army may be hard and even scary in the present and/or future, but I felt like I was in the right place at that moment and that is a super feeling. In addition, having friends and my sister there only made it that much more special.

It’s not a mystery that life in Israel, especially in the army, has changed over the last few weeks. It is even acceptable to say life has changed for Jews across the world. I don’t think I could have ever imagined anything like this happening within the beginning stages of my service. War is real and scary. I won’t be involved in that intense of a matter at least until I finish all of my training (hopefully it will never happen). However, at my swearing-in ceremony, I thought and decided I really am ready to give whatever is needed of me, even if that means entering into a war zone and putting my life on the line. It may not be my first choice, but Israel is, that’s my job and I’m going to do it as best as I can.

I have now finished basic training and have learned a lot about the army, Israel, and myself. I now know how to fight with a group of people, how to even lead a group like this, and how to fire a gun at night with fairly good accuracy. I am about to begin a new part of the process as I will be learning for about 15 hours a day on the tank, more specifically my job. I am going to learn how to drive a tank, another imaginable thing about to happen. But for now, I think about what I’ve accomplished up to this point and keep returning to the reasons of why I’m here, regardless if there is a war mere kilometers from me. I swear to be me and to try to learn as much as I can for this country. I swear to be the best soldier I can be. I swear to do all that I can to defend the Jewish homeland and the Jewish people. I swear.