Emotional Revelation: Who is Behind Distributing Thousands of Tzitzit to Soldiers?

In recent weeks it has become a phenomenon: encountering soldiers everywhere in the country, some without kippot, sometimes declaring themselves disconnected from religion, yet tzitzit strings dangle from their uniforms. At the same time, we hear of more people and organizations mobilizing for this cause – tying tzitzit strings for the soldiers, preparing packaging for them, and delivering them to wherever they are, all in the belief that the tzitzit protects us and is a true way to receive divine protection during war.

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Thousands of Tzitzit for Soldiers<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>

One person behind this massive project of distributing tzitzit is Rabbi Kuti Miyodovnik, CEO of the charity organization 'VeHashiv LeV Chabad Tefen'. "It all began for me on a fateful Saturday night when we heard about the surprise attack and the terrible disaster," he says. "When I tried to update myself with the news, I watched one of the numerous videos circulated showing a girl being taken captive by Hamas, and I felt it was weakening me. I told myself that I must not let myself just watch these horrors, but rather gather myself and think about what could be done. Since in my role I operate a charity that runs several projects, including a tzitzit distribution project for needy families before the Pesach and Tishrei holidays, I thought perhaps now was the time to launch a campaign to distribute tzitzit to IDF soldiers to protect them as they go into combat".<\/p>

Rabbi Kuti Miyodovnik CEO of VeHashiv Lev- Chabad Tefen

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For Rabbi Miyodovnik, as it turns out, not much time passes between getting an idea and putting it into action. "Later that day, I contacted a good friend who owns a tzitzit company and asked him to order a large quantity. His response was, 'Kuti, I know you like to take things big, but nevertheless, I suggest you order an initial quantity of a thousand units, and if you see there's demand, order more.' I took his advice, and after distributing more than 500 tzitzit, I decided to order more, but then something unexpected happened. Someone contacted me, and I understood that he intended to donate a thousand tzitzit. Consequently, I ordered another two thousand - partly on my account and partly on his, only to discover after placing the order that he meant to donate 1000 shekels and not 1000 tzitzit. Thus, I found myself in debt of 150,000 shekels, with a stock of tzitzit, understanding that I'd have to pay for everything myself and from the organization’s funds. Nevertheless, I saw the enormous need and the desire from soldiers across all units and the country to receive tzitzit, and understood that I couldn't stop this blessed trend, so I ordered thousands more tzitzit beyond the initial quantity. <\/p>

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"From that moment, I abandoned all my other activities, and focused solely on receiving, transporting, and distributing the tzitzit. That's what I do all day, all thanks to the donations from the people of Israel. By the way, it's touching to see that the real budget comes from small and private individuals who donate amounts that aren't large, but also contribute to the total spreadsheet; they simply see it as a great privilege".<\/p>

Rabbi Miyodovnik tells that his storage is located near the city of Safed, and one day he met a soldier serving nearby. "He saw me dealing with tzitzit and asked what it was. I explained to him and also offered him to wear a tzitzit himself. Initially he refused, saying, ‘I am serious, and when I start something, it accompanies me all my life… I am afraid to commit’. I left him, but made it clear there is tzitzit here for him, and he is welcome to take it if he wishes. The next day, one of my employees told me he saw a soldier wearing tzitzit, all excited and blessing 'Shehechiyanu'. I immediately knew who it was, and felt how the circle closed."<\/p>

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Desiring Protection and Safety<\/u><\/strong><\/h3>

What reactions do you hear when distributing the tzitzit?<\/strong><\/p>

"The main reaction is: 'Give us more’", he smiles, "because it turns out soldiers want it more than anything else. Beyond requests, there are also moving stories that bring tears to the eyes, with the feeling that the people of Israel are simply awake and arising, searching for a way to get closer to the Creator of the world.<\/p>

"Beyond that, I received many inquiries from parents of fighters in the Golani Brigade who lost dozens of fighters. The parents explained that their sons suffered a very hard blow with their friends' deaths, and the only thing that can give them renewed strength now is a feeling of spiritual protection".<\/p>

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It's not always the fighters; often it's the mothers who reach out to Rabbi Miyodovnik requesting tzitzit for their soldier sons. "There was an intriguing case where one soldier went to battle on Simchat Torah, and from that day until Thursday of the same week, he didn’t make any contact or update his parents on his whereabouts due to military confidentiality. The worried parents tried every way to contact their son, and someone gave the mother my phone number. She called me and asked if by chance we came across her son when we came to distribute tzitzit. It's worth mentioning that during the war we received special permissions to distribute tzitzit even in classified areas without initial entry permits. That way, we also reached elite and confidential units, among which we indeed met the son of that woman. Thus, we could inform her closely that she could be at ease".<\/p>

Rabbi Miyodovnik notes that as time passed, he realized it was pointless to merely deliver boxes of tzitzit, but rather the essence is to meet the soldier face to face, explain the mitzvah to him, and see that he is truly committed. "I use many volunteers for this purpose, each receiving kits of tzitzit that include Tehillim, kippot, and a tallit, when needed I also add tefillin, and I personally go to the field, and that's how we distribute to the fighters. We also have several centers – in the north, south, and center, where one can come to receive the kits".<\/p>

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But the most stirring tzitzit story Rabbi Miyodovnik was exposed to occurred on the first day of the war. "There was a soldier who was summoned directly from home to the south, so he wasn’t in military clothing. On his way, he encountered terrorists and even managed to eliminate some, but was then hit by a bullet and couldn’t continue functioning. He rolled into a ditch by the roadside and continued to shoot at the terrorists. That's how his life was saved, but terrifyingly, at that moment IDF forces appeared and wanted to shoot him, thinking he was a terrorist since he was in civilian clothes. He couldn't even speak from weakness, but at the last minute the idea came to him, and he raised the tzitzit string. The soldiers passing by noticed this, and he heard one of them say, 'He’s wearing tzitzit, don't shoot him'. That's how he was saved. "There is no doubt that the tzitzit protects us," he concludes, "we see it in the most tangible way."<\/p>