He Kept The Letter Because He Was A Chabad Chossid

The following letter was written by Mendy Katz from New Haven, CT, who lost his son, Moshe Katz ע”ה a hero lone soldier, Lebanon last week.

Today I received Moshe’s personal effects from the army. It took them a few days to collect items from the base.

Among the may clothes and personal items was a blood-stained letter. The letter was permission from the army to keep his beard. A letter he kept on him, in case there was a question as to why his beard wasn’t shaved.

Remarkably, as much as he was dedicated to his unit, and as much as he was dedicated to the IDF, he didn’t compromise. He knew he was not only representing the paratroopers and his nation, he was also representing his values. Chabad values in the field.

He has many reasons why he could forgo, and excuse himself from a beard, or even tzitzits. Yet we know that he was a chasid first, and a soldier after.

Not just any Soldier. A hero.

There were nights that were cold during training and other soldiers were cold. Per army issue, you are not allowed to wear anything under your shirt that isn’t army issued. Except tzitzits!

Moshe has multiple pairs of tzitzits in his bag and shared them with others. His teammate mentioned that he didn’t think twice. Literally the shirt of his back.

This is who Moshe was.

The Rebbe’s Soldier defending Yiddishkeit along with our great nation.

May we have the strength like Moshe to never surrender our values, give with a smile, and always do what’s right.

On the eve of Shevii Shel Pesach, may the wonders of this auspicious day bring the Geulah for all of us. May we merit Moschiach and be united together in Achdus.