Rabbi Moshe Bloom- A War and a Prayer

In normal times, Rabbi Moshe Bloom is the rabbi of Netzach Shlomo in Petach Tikvah, and head of the English department at Machon HaTorah VeHa’aretz — the institute dedicated to the agricultural laws of the land of Israel. But these are not normal times. Rav Bloom is also an IDF officer and a Rav Gdud — a battalion rabbi responsible for 450 soldiers. For over 500 days, he has been fighting alongside his battalion. The moment Operation Roaring Lion began, they were sent straight to the Lebanese border. I spoke with Rav Moshe from that border — about what it means to be a rabbi for 450 soldiers, what his responsibilities look like in the field, and how he tries to be there for his men, night and day, so they can be the best soldiers they can be.