Dear friends, brothers and sisters,

I am writing to you as I prepare for action together with my blood brothers, members of a reserve engineering corps attached to the Golani Brigade.

Since saying goodbye to my wife and kids on Simchat Torah, I’ve barely slept and have not had a proper meal; but I have never been so focused in my life.

G‑d has handed us a mission, and with your support, we will do what we need to.

Like many American Jewish kids, I grew up with stories of morning services being disrupted early on Yom Kippur 1973, with trucks coming by, calling the men up to go to war.

Now that has become my story.

My name is Ezzy Morgenstern, originally from New Jersey, now living with my wife and 8 kids in Yavniel, Israel.

Our sleepy town is somewhat isolated, and we had no idea that anything was amiss on Simchat Torah morning.

We came to the synagogue, started services, and were deep into kiddush and the ensuing festivities when a visitor told us that there had been an attack.

I tried to block it out, recognizing that sadness would not help anyone, and that the greatest weapons we have against hatred and evil are love and joy.

But something told me that things were serious. So I ran home, turned on my phone (in a way permissible on the holiday in an emergency), and saw hundreds of messages flooding my WhatsApp, including one telling me that our brigade would be meeting virtually in just two minutes.

The meeting was brief. We were told we were to report to duty ASAP and prepare for battle.

I ran to the synagogue to say goodbye to my kids, who were already hearing too much from the adults around them.

And I’ve been moving ever since.

The movements are familiar. This is my fourth war. I’ve served in the Second Lebanon War, Operation Pillar of Defense, and Operation Protective Edge.

I want to share with you the advice I’ve been giving my men, since I believe these lessons are crucial for everyone, whether you wear a uniform or not.

Keep Positive

One of my men just asked me if I think Israel will survive. I told him that of course we will. What happened happened, and we have not yet begun to grapple with the enormity of the loss. But we know exactly what needs to be done now. We’ve done it before, and with G‑d’s help, we will be more successful than ever before at disarming the evil men who wish to harm us.

Wars are fought with guns, but they are won or lost in the mind. Do not allow the enemy to infiltrate your mind. Don’t allow yourself to be sucked into a vortex of gory videos or doom-and-gloom reporting. It will do you no good. Instead, share hope, faith, and encouragement.

This is especially true when you are around children. You cannot change the facts on the ground, but you can choose how you (and they) experience them. In the timeless words of the third Rebbe of Chabad: “Think good, and it will be good!”

Add Spiritual Light to the World

The Talmud tells us that tefillin strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies.

After I put on tefillin every day, I offer my men to do the same. Most are glad to take up my offer. Others demur, and I tell them they know where to find me should they want.

Jewish men and boys: Wrap tefillin and pray for us. If you do not have a pair, your local Chabad rabbi will be more than happy to help you out.

Jewish women and girls, your Shabbat candles bring light and tranquility to the world. This Friday night (and every Friday) before sunset, light candles and restore some of the bright and shining souls that have been snuffed out.

Pray for Us!

While our enemies call out G‑d’s name as they perform the most evil atrocities, we pray to Him to end the bloodshed and restore peace. Recite a chapter of Psalms, pray for the residents of Israel, both Jewish and non-Jewish, and the brave soldiers of the IDF.

And if you could have me in mind in your prayers—my full name is Eliezer Schneur Zalman Halevi ben Sarah—I’d be most grateful.

May G‑d grant us the ability to return home very soon, bringing with us peace and security.