Welcome to “Defining Moments.” Today I’m honored to be joined by Rabbi Hayim Navon, a distinguished Israeli rabbi, philosopher, and writer whose work has profoundly influenced modern Jewish thought. Rabbi Navon has recently published a deeply moving book titled “מעשה בצדיק ואלונקה” – “A Tale of a Righteous Man and a Stretcher.” This powerful work commemorates the students and graduates of Hesder yeshivas who fell in the first year of the war, documenting their lives, values, and extraordinary commitment to Torah study, Chessed, their hobbies, and the defense of Israel. We’ll explore what the significantly higher casualty rate among Hesder students reveals about religious Zionism today, and discuss how these young men heard the call of history and divine purpose in their service - a calling that some other sectors of religious society have responded to differently. And finally, we’ll touch on the unique contributions of the Anglo community in Israel and some of the challenges it faces, particularly regarding deeper integration with broader Israeli culture and society. Rabbi Navon’s book stands as a memorial and an inspiration, capturing the essence of these young men who embodied the highest ideals of religious Zionism. Rabbi Navon, thank you for joining us today to discuss this important work. produced by DABRU