I'm sad to report that one soldier has died. When I say soldier, it sounds like I'm talking about some far away individual. Someone trained for battle. That may be true--he may have undergone training--but this was a 22-year-old man who died. In Israel, you go into the army right after high school, and then you serve for 2-3 years. In America, we go straight into college; in Israel, you go straight into the army. These are kids fighting this war, young men and women starting their lives.

I'm 22. I've come to Israel to learn and grow. Men and women younger than me are fighting to keep me safe while I'm here. Thank you to them. I will be davening for their safety and success.