An Extra Weapon in the Pocket

Question

Dear Rabbi,

I saw a video of an IDF soldier in Gaza who showed that he has a 20 NIS bill tucked in a special pocket on his sleeve near his shoulder. Is this some kind of a Jewish custom or just another place to keep money in addition to his regular pocket?

Thanks

0

Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    Numerous soldiers do this and it is indeed in line with Jewish teachings. People will give the soldiers money to take with them into battle, with instructions to give this money to charity upon return.

    We are taught by our Sages, “Emissaries to do a mitzvah are not harmed.” (In Hebrew, such a person is called a “shaliach mitzvah.”) A soldier is liable to be at an elevated risk of harm. But by being an emissary to do the mitzvah of delivering money to charity affords special safety. This is obviously not a natural form of protection, such as a ceramic vest, but rather a spiritual form of protection from Above.

    In addition to this protection, it is important to remember that the person is also in the midst of fulfilling a mitzvah of enabling charity, along with other mitzvahs, such as defending one’s family and country. Unfortunately, in a particularly dangerous place or situation, the protection is not hermetic and guaranteed. However, it can’t hurt!

    And, a person does not have to be a soldier to receive this protection of being a mitzvah emissary. It is a widespread custom to give some money to a person who is travelling overseas, which should be delivered by the person to charity at the destination.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team