The Modern Day Maccabees of the IDF

Описание: In this powerful and emotional pre-Thanksgiving address, Rabbi Moshe Bryski reflects on the extraordinary courage, faith, and resilience of the modern-day Maccabees — the brave men and women of the IDF and the countless Jews who have risen with strength and love since October 7. Drawing from moving letters written by fallen soldiers, he reveals the depth of their character: young men who faced death with pride, clarity, and a profound sense of purpose; who comforted their families in advance; who expressed gratitude for the privilege of defending Am Yisrael; and who reminded us what it means to live with meaning, belonging, sacrifice, and transcendence.

Rabbi Bryski interweaves these stories with stirring examples of heroism and compassion on the home front, including Iris Haim, whose remarkable message of forgiveness and encouragement uplifted the very soldiers who mistakenly took her son’s life; and the unforgettable words of parents who turned unbearable loss into strength for others. Through narratives like Rabbi Yisroel Zev Gustman’s comfort to a grieving father, Alon Mesika’s creation of “Adir’s Diamonds,” and the wrenching yet uplifting tapestry parable shared by a bereaved parent, he reveals how Jews have always transformed darkness into light — without diminishing the pain, but by reframing it through faith, mission, and love.

Throughout the lecture, Rabbi Bryski emphasizes the uniquely Jewish ability to cry and dance at the same time — to grieve deeply while defiantly celebrating life. From the wartime yeshiva students who danced on Simchas Torah in Vilna to the unprecedented crowds dancing in Agoura Hills this past year, he shows how joy becomes an act of spiritual courage, a declaration that our story will not be broken. We are a people who continue forward — “Mir gein!” — even when our hearts are shattered, because building, giving, and living are the greatest possible tributes to those we’ve lost.

Ultimately, this lecture is a resounding affirmation that the spirit of the Maccabees is alive today. Our soldiers, our families, our communities, and Jews across the world have shown extraordinary strength, unity, and unwavering faith. Through tears and triumphs, through grief and rebuilding, Rabbi Bryski reminds us that Am Yisrael not only survives — we rise, we sing, we protect one another, and we carry the mission forward. Am Yisrael Chai.

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