Yesterday was Tu b’Shvat in Israel. It’s the oldest Earth Day on record, a new year….for trees. It’s been on the Hebrew calendar for centuries. We celebrate by eating produce native to the land of Israel, namely dates, figs, pomegranates, grapes, barley, wheat and olives. And we plant trees. Fruit trees and sturdy oak, cedars and pine, eucalyptus and carob and nut trees.

This year trees were planted at the graves of fallen soldiers. An entire citrus orchard was planted outside Sderot (Gaza Envelope) for victims of 7 October. There were over 1000 orange and grapefruit trees placed in the ground in memorial.

Outside Kibbutz Nahal Oz a shade grove was planted. One for each of the 249 people taken captive into Gaza. It was very moving. There were red ribbons wrapped around each tree representing a returned hostage. Black ribbon for those who did not make it. And yellow for those still presumed alive in Hamas or PIJ captivity.

Another moving shade forest was planted at the site of the Re’em field where the peace concert took place. Friends and family put a tree in the ground at the site their loved one was found slain. Each tree had a picture of the deceased and an article of clothing hung from a stake in front of the tree. These will be permanent memorials. They celebrate death. We plant trees and celebrate new life.

Coincidentally, since 7 October, Israel has been blessed with a baby boom seen at no other time in its history. Maternity wards are filled to overflowing. In the early days of the war, and even now with many husbands gone, greater numbers of women are choosing to have a home birth with a midwife. There are many that are afraid to leave the house alone at night to travel to a hospital, so home births have boomed.

This week Elya and Novo were released from their unit after over 50 days of heavy combat in Khan Younis, Gaza. Both of their wives went into labor on the same day. The women share a recovery room and the new fathers have a week leave to be with the families. Brothers in arms; brothers in childbirth. Mazal tov!!

Meet Battalion 8103. They went into Northern Gaza from the beginning. Since 18 October, 29 babies have been born to this special group of elite soldiers.

Another heartwarming story:

And lastly, a friend sent around this pregnancy announcement from her daughter. Her son-in-law is a reservist serving in Samaria. This will be her third grandchild- B”H is an abbreviation for Barukh haShem or Praise the Lord

Israel is entering into its 4th month of the war. So far, over 32,000 soldiers have been injured. Over 400 critically. Since military tactics have been changed to appease the US requests for scaling back and slowing down, more soldiers have been wounded. The use of surveillance drones to make pinpoint surgical strikes is gone. Both sides are now incurring more casualties.

Yet despite the high numbers of wounded, this war is seeing the lowest death rate percentage wise (IDF) than any other war in history. Major medical advancements have been made. Each unit is trained in triage and battle care so as to stanch bleeding as medics are called in. Tank units become mobile ICUs, containing full ambulance equipment and paramedics including surgeons, anesthetists. Type O blood is held in reserve, so that for the first time in history blood transfusions can be started in a tank or helicopter. Surgeons are lined up in operating theaters awaiting the injured.

The mortality rate stands at 6.7%. This is a decrease of more than double. According to the data, the average time from injury to the operating room stands at 1 hour and 6 minutes. This is for Gaza and for the West Bank. If war were to break out with Hizbulla, these statistics would be quite higher due to the larger area, more difficult terrain and proximity to hospitals. Thus, field hospitals will be set up at strategic locations along the northern front in event of escalating hostilities.

The soldiers of the IDF realize that this is an existential fight- if they don’t protect the land on 4 fronts (Hamas/Gaza; PA radicals/West Bank; Houthi rebels/Eilat; Hizbulla/North). Israel would be wiped out. The country is united in their mission. Our soldiers, especially those that have given up everything in sacrifice for their loved ones, are being hailed for their valiant efforts.

I believe this attitude helps make all the difference in the recovery of the patient. They know their sacrifices were not in vain. We salute them and thank them and owe our lives to their bravery. Medical advances are being made in the areas of physical and occupational therapy. Prosthetic limbs are helping amputees get back to living more quickly. And a robotic type exoskeleton has been developed to help paraplegics stand and walk again.

Amitai Argamon was in one of the first units to enter a booby trapped building in Beit Hanoi. Four of his friends were killed. Five others were seriously wounded. At the initial blast, a wall fell on Amitai, crushing both legs beyond repair. He was on the verge of death, with almost no pulse, but a strong will to survive and a stronger faith in the Lord.

He knew to stay alert and talk with his rescuers, answering questions and asking questions of the paramedics continually engaging. The doctors at Ichilov made the split decision to do a double amputation which also saved his life. Amitai, surrounded by family and friends, medical staff and personalities from the Israeli music and film industry and religious groups, was in ICU for a month. He has remained an inspiration and encouragement to everyone.

“I knew that I was fighting for my family and for my home. I know my life has been preserved by the Lord. There is a reason I’m still here. There is a special purpose I will now have for my life. We are a strong and resilient people. There is always hope. There is strength in G-d and strength in Unity. Together we will win,” stated Amitai with a smile.

Even in the darkness the Light shines for the upright…

Shabbat shalom and May we have a peaceful weekend-