Rabbi Grossman came to encourage the pilots and ground crew at the IAF Ramat David Air Base

This morning, Israel Prize Recipient, and President of Migdal Ohr Institutions, Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman visited the IAF’s Wing 1 in northern Israel, in order to encourage the pilots, technicians and team members who worked day and night, not resting for a minute.  The rabbi waiting for every jet that returned from activity and every pilot and team member who disembarked the pilot.  He kissed and hugged them and thanked them for their hard and holy work.  Additionally, he handed out hundreds of special coins to the soldiers and pilots, to protect them, and at the end of the war, they will donate these coins to charity. When handing out the coins, the Rabbi told the soldiers that during the Second Lebanon War, he gave out 700 coins to paratroopers, who all returned home in peace as mitzvah messengers.  “So you too are mitzvah messengers, go in peace and return in peace and may you not be harmed,”  said the Rabbi with emotion.  At the end of the encounter, the Wing 1 Commander, Colonel A.A., presented Rabbi Grossman with his personal badge from his uniform.  “I always give influential figures in Israeli society the unit’s flag, but in appreciation for your activity, I would like to present you with my personal badge,” – this gesture brought tears to the Rabbi’s eyes. Major Rabbi Moshe Korkus, Rabbi of Wing 1, said:  “It has been our honor and pleasure to host Israel Prize Recipient Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman at Wing 1.  The rabbi’s visit gave commanders and soldiers the spirit and strength to continue their fighting.  We were very moved when he handed out the coins to protect each and every soldier on the base.  When I saw the rabbi hug and thank the brave pilots at the base I was moved, there is no doubt that his visit will reverberate for years to come”.