“Kos Yeshuot Esah.” “I lift up the cup of my salvation” 



There is a point in the Hallel (the special psalms of praise and thanks that are sung on festivals), which really hit me:

“Ma’ Ashiv La’Hashem?” “What have I to give back to G-d?”

There are certain moments in life, when you appreciate the gifts you have been given. In the middle of a war zone, with men getting killed or injured every day, and the number of close calls and near misses too many to count, you realize that life is a gift and you wonder why you are lucky enough to still be here. In silent gratitude, you pray yet again that you will succeed in making the life you have been given worth living.

“Kos Yeshuot Esah.” “I lift up the cup of my salvation”

You have to drink of that which you have been blessed with, and recognize just what a fleeting window of opportunity this world really is.

“Nedarai’ La’Hashem A’shalem.” “I must repay my promises to G-d.”

The battlefield is full of promises, and you swear you will do lots of different things, if you make it; the time comes you have to live up to your promises.