Tekes Hashbaah - Swearing In Ceremony

At the beginning of January, a little over a month into basic training, we had our swearing in ceremony. We swear our allegiance to the Israel Defense Forces, and in effect we become official members of the army. Without a declaration of intent, there is no promise of giving our entire self during our service. Anyone want to translate the full pledge from the Hebrew? A proper translation is the last thing I want to concentrate on right now, even though it is a powerful and beautiful pronouncement.

הנני נשבע(ת) ומתחייב(ת) בהן צדקי לשמור אמונים למדינת ישראל, לחוקיה ולשלטונותיה המוסמכים, לקבל על עצמי ללא תנאי וללא סייג עול משמעתו של צבא הגנה לישראל, לציית לכל הפקודות וההוראות הניתנות על ידי המפקדים המוסמכים ולהקדיש כל כוחותיי ואף להקריב את חיי להגנת המולדת ולחירות ישראל.

The actual swearing is something I should mention. Company by company, one after another, yells at the top of their voices "אני נשבע", meaning "I swear." I swear to uphold the expectations of my country and army. I swear to give myself without condition to the protection of the State of Israel. I swear to be the best soldier I can be.

Yes, I yelled at the top of my lungs as well. And I meant it.

I wish I had the energy to write up a big thing about how I felt, about how Zionistic I was at the moment, about how I looked at the Israeli flag and felt goosebumps and pride and a surge of courage. I wish I could express myself, but I'm just plain exhausted. So, I'll let the pictures that someone took speak for me. Sorry some of them aren't too clear - what can you do.

All the visitors around our barracks

You go around individually according to an order based on the formation
to receive your gun (ceremonially) and a Tanach (Bible). First step, stand and salute your
platoon commander. This picture is of stepping in to receive your gun

Stepping back

Saluting with your gun

The base's rabbi, our induction class commander, and the commander of
one of Golani's battalions (future politician level commander)

I snuck this one with a camera in my pocket. I wanted more, but I risked
my Shabbat by taking this one. The things I do for my readers!

I can say just a word about how weird it was before the ceremony. All the Israelis had their families and friends and girlfriends on base and around the barracks, and there I was, alone. I was just plain alone. Everyone had their moms and brothers snapping pictures and being shown around the areas that we spend our days, wondering what in the world we must do here, being so proud of them and hugging them and kisses and smiles and joking around with the commanders - and I was just there.

But really, I was happy to be there too. I know that if my parents were around, if my big bro was visiting the Golani training base, they'd be the exact same people. They'd also be asking all the immigrants questions, inviting them to our house every 10 seconds. They'd also give them more food than they could ever hope to eat.

If my family was around they'd too be giving me hugs and kisses and all that gushy stuff. My mom also would be looking at her son wondering when he got to be so tall and handsome (couldn't resist). My dad would look at his son and wonder when the hell he changed from a lanky 13 year old to a broad shouldered young man. My bro would look at me and say, "This soldier is my brother."

I knew this, and as alone as I felt, I could still feel the pride of my family from 7,000 miles away. I felt strong as a lone soldier. I felt strength as I talked to everyone's moms and saw what could only be respect in their smiles. I felt a certain distinction as I shook the dads' hands and saw what could only be admiration on their faces. I saw my mother and father in those faces, even though I have no relationship with any of those people. That is what it means when they say "Golani is a family." In truth, the army is a family for everyone, immigrants especially.

To any non-Israeli looking to serve in the army but is fearing the 'alone' factor, don't even worry about it. You're like a hero here.

And besides, you'll get tons of free food out of it.