What Religious Soldiers Know That Others Don’t

The streets of Tel Aviv pulse with life – cafes overflow, beaches buzz with activity, and life goes on almost as normal. But drive thirty minutes east to the religious communities of Gush Etzion in Judea, and you’ll find countless empty chairs at Shabbat tables, children asking when their father will return from reserve duty, and mothers stepping up to carry the full weight of family life. The statistics tell a stark story: soldiers from religious communities in Gush Etzion are serving an average of 27 days of reserve duty, while their counterparts in Tel Aviv serve just 10.

What drives this dramatic disparity? Why are religious soldiers willing to leave their families for nearly three times as long as others to defend the nation?

Three thousand years ago, Joab, King David’s general, facing the armies of Ammon, declared:

Rabbi Meir Wisser finds in Joab’s words the two essential preparations needed for victory in war. From the phrase “Let us be strong and resolute,” he sees the command for physical preparation. From “for the sake of our people and the land of our God,” he learns the requirement of spiritual readiness. As he explains, “The salvation of God requires two preparations: first, the natural preparation through physical strength and military skill, and second, the preparation of thought for the sake of God.”

This dual preparation explains what we see today among religious soldiers. All soldiers – religious and secular – train their bodies and hone their combat skills. But religious soldiers add another dimension: spiritual preparation. Those who study Torah understand with perfect clarity what they are fighting for. Each day spent in the study hall learning about Joshua’s battles, David’s victories, and the Maccabees’ resolve strengthens their understanding of their divine mission.

In his memoir “In the Arena,” the newly confirmed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth writes about soldiers who fight with religious conviction: “He is fighting for something greater than himself. He is fighting for his God.” Even more striking is Hegseth’s analysis of what gives fighters their drive. Reflecting on an image of an ISIS fighter, he writes: “With God on his side and the wind at his back, he is a conquering warrior… I deplore what he stands for, what he does and how he does it. He is a soldier of hate, subjugation and sheer evil. But I understand his passions.” Hegseth’s point is clear – while we must fight evil, we must also understand that religious conviction gives warriors unmatched strength and determination.

In his commentary on Deuteronomy 20:1, Nachmanides articulates a principle that both complements and deepens Joab’s teaching. Of course, soldiers must be physically prepared for battle – this is self-evident. But Nachmanides (Ramban) highlights what many miss: soldiers must be warned against relying on physical might alone, against thinking “We are mighty men, and valiant men for war.” Instead, they must “turn their hearts only to God and rely on His help.” Victory, teaches the Ramban, comes not to those who trust solely in “the strength of the horse” or take pleasure in “the legs of a man,” but to “those that fear Him, in those that wait for His mercy.” Like Joab who concluded his battle cry with “and God will do that which seems good in His eyes,” Nachmanides teaches that “the battle is the Eternal’s.” This is why religious soldiers serve longer – they grasp both dimensions of warfare. When soldiers know they’re doing God’s will, they find the courage to do what others might consider impossible. They discover the strength to leave their families for months on end. The soldiers of Gush Etzion serve longer not because others serve less, but because their spiritual preparation gives them the strength to serve more.

The lesson extends far beyond military service. The stronger our convictions about our purpose – whether in business, education, community service, or family life – the more we will sacrifice to fulfill it. Just as religious soldiers find the strength to serve extra weeks away from home, those who understand their God-given mission in any field will find the strength to go further, work harder, and achieve what others might consider impossible.

This is the power of divine purpose. Not just in war, but in every arena of life, those who know they’re fulfilling God’s will find the strength to do what must be done, for as long as it takes, until their mission is accomplished.

Join Israel365 Action in building a stronger Israel. Stand with us as we champion a bold new vision for Israel, support communities in Judea and Samaria, and partner with Israel’s true allies worldwide. Join the movement today!