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From the Charedi World

to the IDF

Binyamin Goffin’s Religious Journey

Yitzchak Hildesheimer

irst Sergeant Binyamin Goffin is Upon officially making Aliyah, Goffin
one of 120 soldiers who received joined the Atzmona Mechina (pre-mil-
an award for excellent service itary preparatory school), where he
Ffrom President Herzog on Yom found his place, and after a year, he
HaAtzmaut. Though he grew up in a decided to enlist in the IDF. “During
Charedi household, he says, “In pre-mil- my time at the yeshiva in Beit Shemesh
itary training and during my service in and the preparatory school, my reli-
the IDF, I was more diligent in observ- gious commitment grew stronger
ing the mitzvot and studying Torah again, and my desire to enlist in the
than at my parents’ house.” IDF also intensified,” he says regarding
his enlistment period.
Goffin grew up in an Charedi environ- During his initial period in the army,
ment in Baltimore, United States, in he studied Hebrew for three months,
what he describes as a Charedi Lithu- and that was the only period in which
anian family. As a child, he studied at he did not strictly observe mitzvot. “On
Talmud Torah and attended Charedi the other hand,” he says, “everyone
institutions. But during high school, participated in Shabbat meals, and (PHOTO: IDF)
a Charedi institution, “I had questions the general religious atmosphere was
and did not observe Shabbat.” positive.” immigrating to Israel and serving
in the army. For those individuals, I
Binyamin explains, “From the age of Were there any instances when you would certainly recommend following
18, I studied at Ashreinu, an Ameri- encountered disrespect or chal- this path.”
can gap-year yeshiva that is Religious lenges while praying or observing
Zionist. I became more connected to Shabbat? In a brochure published by the office of
Religious Zionism, which I knew very “They usually treated me with respect the President of the State, which con-
little about before. Rabbi Gotch Yudin, and appreciation, and they never tains the details of all 120 outstanding
soldiers, it is written that “Binyamin,
the head of the yeshiva and a real Zion- attempted to hinder my observance.” 23 years old, immigrated to Israel in
ist, greatly influenced me when I did Would you recommend to your 2020 out of a sense of mission and a
teshuvah,” notes Goffin.
friends from the Charedi society desire to contribute to the IDF and
“At that time, they influenced me to where you grew up to immigrate to the country. Despite facing language
make Aliyah. Initially, my parents were Israel and enlist in the IDF? difficulties, he successfully completed
against it, but when they saw that “Not for everyone, but only for those a combat medics course.”
my new community strengthened who genuinely desire to pursue this
my Jewish identity, they eventually path seriously and have the ability  Originally published in Hebrew in Matzav
accepted my opinion and agreed to to strengthen their commitment HaRuach.
my Aliyah.” to observing mitzvot even after

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