Love Letters to a Jewish Soldier

In the process of packing for our upcoming move to DC, I came across my husband’s war journal.

Before deployment, I asked each of our friends to write a letter of support to my husband. Together, we presented these letters at his last Shabbat dinner before heading off to war. 

I pasted these letters onto the pages of a small black, leather journal which he would then take with him to Iraq. My hope was that these cards and notes would sustain him in difficult times.

I was shocked to see that over the course of fifteen months, my husband had continued pasting the mail he received during his time in Iraq into this journal.  

In truth, I would give up my right arm before having to go through deployment again. But, in reading these letters, I found myself smiling. They ranged from inspirational to downright hilarious.  Yet, no matter what the content, all of them were filled with love. 

Life is filled with trials and tribulations, but it is that uncertainty which reminds us how to be joyful and reveals the wisdom in the human experience. And so, I share with you some highlights of these love letters to a Jewish Soldier... from his community:

MY GIFT TO YOU BEFORE DEPLOYMENT

By the time you read this note, we’ll have separated.  I won’t say ‘gone’ because gone is too final – and what we have is not final.  

We have a long road ahead of us.  I am not naïve about the challenges, nor am I naïve enough to think that merely love will see us through.  It won’t.  It will take work, and time, and commitment, and tears.  I know all this.  I know you know it, too.

Remember that even though I am not always the best at describing my love, or need, for you, I  will always ‘do’ for you.  So count my love by the actions – the letters, packages, notes  - and this journal...  which I hope will sustain you throughout this journey.

HOPE, FEAR AND DOUBT:  A PRAYER

As you encounter hope,

May your feet take you where you can celebrate.

As you encounter fear,

May your heart point you to the loving faces of friends and family.

As you encounter doubt,

May your eyes be guided to walk faithfully,

On the sands of uncertainty.

In this season of hope, fear and doubt,

We journey as a people from liberation at the sea,

To revelation at Sinai.

As you deploy,

May you find yourself on that journey,

And God’s blessings in the wandering.

CAUTIOUS AND ENVIOUS:

I must admit that I am happy and appreciate how lucky I am not to be in your boots right now.  Yet, on another level I am somewhat envious.  You have the opportunity to dig in, get your hands dirty and try to help people to improve their lives… gratitude to you and the thousands of your fellow soldiers who worked so hard to make a better time possible. 

YOU WERE THE LAST PERSON:

My brother from a different mother!  You were the last person I ever figured would sign up for the military!

LOVE IS A GIFT TO BE NURTURED:

My final advice to you is be happy!  Even when things are bleak – you have people who love you.  Never forget that and never take it for granted…. And the only way to guarantee them is to never lose sight of these truths, and do all you can on your part to nurture them.

FROM THE DOG:

Until you return, I’ll be here waiting… making sad puppy noises.   

HEBREW SCHOOL LESSON:

Aviva is teaching me and forcing me to wright this letter.  hebrew school is fun.  I saw my friends underwere and it had curios gorge on it.  as I am here wrighting you a pig made out of paper is staring at me.  the sign on the door says, “Welcome to Japan.”  I wish my toilets were pink.

REB NACHMAN QUOTE:

“But know that every person’s obstacles are according to their powers, as much as they can take and withstand if they wish to.  And, in truth there are no obstacles, for even in the obstacle there is the Blessed One cloaked within the obstacle. “