The Shmira Project: Protect an Israeli Soldier

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shmira-project-idfThe Shmira Project is a grassroots program that pairs IDF combat soldiers with Jews around the world who do acts of kindness, prayer or Torah learning to increase the soldier’s spiritual merit and protection.

Israel is in a state of war with many of its neighbors, and even the ones with peace treaties have tremendous political turmoil and instability. Right now combat soldiers are in clear and present danger.  These soldiers frequently go into hostile areas: patrolling Israel’s borders from terrorism abroad, and preempting terrorism from within.

The Hebrew word “shmira” means “guarding” or “protecting”. In modern Hebrew, shmira also means guard duty.

The Shmira Project is a person to person match that everyone can do. It follows the ancient practice of pairing physical effort with spiritual effort. The families of soldiers enjoy the reassurance of spiritual support for their children.  Participants enjoy knowing that they bring about unity and connectedness. There are absolutely no fees.

Take a name and take a shift of guard duty.  There are several ways to sign up.

Go to the sign up page

Or

  • In USA: For a soldier’s name through the automated system, text 410-575-4337. To contact the administrators, call or text 410-657-2433
  • Fax Israel: 02-540-0771

Thank you to all who participated in the Shmira Project during the November 2012 Gaza Crisis. During the first week of “Operation Pillar of Defense” in  November, 2012, over 10,000 signed on.  Each took the name of an IDF soldier or resident of Israel who was in danger. The response was swift and powerful. People came from 35 countries and offered messages of true inspiration and encouragement. Each and every person made a difference. “The unity is the protection.” said one Rabbi. Whenever you may think that the Jewish People are in disarray and alone, remember the response of this one week.

{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}


9 COMMENTS

  1. L’Havdil Rahm Emanuel Mayor of Chicago and former assistant to President Obama said “never let a crisis go by with taking full advantage of it” Why do we always have to have these ridiculous campaigns which somehow will wind up in a fund raising money situation. Making a whole “Matzav” Publicity, Rabbonim, Speeches, placards on walls, web sites etc. etc.

    If you truly want to help a soldier, just take out a Tehillim like our zeide and bobby used to do like the gedolei yisroel used to do and shed an honest earnest tear for the better health and safety of our fellow bretheren in Eretz Yisroel. No fanfare or organizations needed

  2. Anonymous, I agree that things are often hyped. But what a tremendous use of technology and what a zechus! Setting up something like this is very simple, and it makes things more immediate for the mispallel, and gives added comfort to the chayal and family. What am I missing?

  3. # 2 has a point there. However, our times are different, and those of us who are far from home, and feel worried and uncertain about the safety of those there, may need something more concrete than general prayer and Tehillim. If this is used purely for the sake of the soldiers, and no fund-raising or political base-building has a role, then it has a place.

    But it’s important to remember that, “The Eibishter firt di velt,” and that His plan may not be the same as our wishes. How many people were thrown into doubt and confusion because, after all our tefillos for the three murdered teens, it turned out than they were already gone? These are dangerous times, and we have to keep perspective.

  4. This is pretty neat. A blessing to the future and safety of a very scared future for troublesome exacting of harmony in the middle east. Blessings on this mission!

  5. To Anonymous (6): Amein!
    And to Oldtimer, I’d like to think that we’re not that spiritually unsophisticated. Most of us were paying attention when Rabbanit Frankel reminded us that “Hashem is not our employee” even while reminding us of the imperative to pray.

  6. I am in awe of the name that I received…the soldier’s name is my father’s and my son’s and my grandsons’s and his mother is my mother’s name and my mother-in-law’s name as well. I cannot ever forget this name. May all the chayalim return home quickly and without harm…I have shared this site with my amazing connection and many have4 signed up as well. Wonderful idea to help others feel even more connected.

  7. Response to Comment #2:

    I am one of the volunteers for the ShmiraProject.

    Actually, we can go further back than bubbe and zaidy as a model for this response!

    In the battle against the Midianites, Moshe Rabeinu picked 1,000 fighters from each tribe, and set aside another 1,000 to pray for their welfare. The prayers were effective and not one Jewish soldier fell in battle. Why couldn’t this same system be applied today? Rav Simcha Kook, Chief Rabbi of Rechovot, asked this question to Rav Chaim Kanievsky during the Lebanon War, for his opinion for such a program.

    “This program has Moshe Rabeinu’s seal of approval,” was his response.

    Instead of davening for “soldiers” we can now daven with a specific name of a soldier. That makes it more personal and more meaningful. When I saw “my” soldier’s name pop up on the screen, I cried. I felt an instant connection & now I had the responsibility to improve my middos, daven, etc by doing this in the merit for his safety.

    It also unites Klal Yisroel. People around the world have signed up and feel the connection to each other and to their soldier. And we know we all need achdus right now.

    I hope this explains the project a little more!

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