An Open Letter to an Israeli Soldier

Dear Noam ben Idit,

I know nothing about you except your name and the fact that you are a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces, risking your life to protect the state of Israel and the Jewish people.

I wonder if you are barely older than my own teenage son, or if you are a grown man with a wife, who is now home alone, with your children.

Your name was given to me through a website called Sharejustonething.com that matches you with a soldier on the frontlines and encourages you to adopt one act of goodness that should serve as a merit to help protect our brothers and sisters in Israel.

I chose something small enough that I would stick to but hard enough that I would feel like my actions would have an impact. I wanted to work to overcome my own inner battles while you are battling yours.

I decided to work on controlling my anger, just one time a day.

Now, when my children push my buttons, when someone does something upsetting, and when the bathroom drawer just won’t open no matter how badly I need what’s inside, instead of reacting, I pause.

No matter how badly I want to respond with anger, I think about you, Noam ben Idit, and I pray for your safety instead.

No matter how badly I want to respond with anger, I think about you, Noam ben Idit, and I pray for your safety instead.

Instead of reacting in anger, I pause and say, “God, please protect Noam ben Idit at this very moment.”

My small act creates a dose of spiritual energy that I direct towards you. Judaism believes that metaphysically all our souls are connected. When someone does a good deed in London, Los Angeles, or Toronto, that affects Jewish people all over the globe.

When one soul of the Jewish people makes one positive choice, we all become elevated.

I imagine my conquered energy being infused into your safety. I see my mitzvah and prayer hovering over you and protecting you. My strength can be your strength.

Noam, I know the goal was to give you strength and power, but you have given me newfound strength and purpose.

When someone triggers me, keeping your name in mind makes the issue melt away. How could I become angry when young men and women are fighting for their lives and the lives of all Jews? When 199 hostages are being held in captivity in Gaza?

Knowing you are pushing your physical and mental state to the limit gives me strength to stop myself from reacting.

My grandfather fought in the American Army during World War II. At one point, his group landed in a minefield. Before them was a house with a white picket fence decorated with flowers. It looked innocent and inviting.

His commander told him to move forward and open the gate. Something caused my grandfather to ignore the command. He had a premonition and he refused to open it.

It turned out that the gate was on a mine. I am here today because of that avoided explosion.

My fervent prayer is that you will avoid all explosions and return home to your family and build generations of Jewish people who are strong and mighty, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

May we all overcome just one thing in ourselves to fight this war together.

Your battle, Noam ben Idit, is my battle.

Thank you for your bravery. Please know that the entire Jewish People are praying for your continued safety, and begging God with our words, with our actions, and with our charity for you and all of the soldiers to safely come home.

With admiration and appreciation,
Sarah Pachter

If you want to get matched with a soldier and commit to good deed, click here. Your good deed makes a difference.