Marrying the Warriors
The ten “Marrying the Warriors” weddings celebration
In March of 2024, ten couples, each with a member serving in the Israel Defense Forces, were united in a simultaneous wedding ceremony in Tel Aviv — one of the largest Jewish weddings ever held in Israel. The event, part of Chabad of Savyon’s “Marrying the Warriors” initiative, took place at the Hangar 11 event hall in Tel Aviv Port, with ten wedding canopies and individual officiating Rabbis, and each couple inviting 100 guests. Following the ceremony, a joint celebration included performances by top Israeli artists.
Many of these soldiers had postponed their weddings due to the war. Couples included some with high security clearance and lone soldiers from abroad.
Raziel, a reservist in the Egoz commando unit, shared, “The war taught us that the people of Israel are all brothers and partners in one fate, so sharing our most special night with other couples who took part in the war is a decision we are proud of.” His bride, Or, added, “I waited for him to come back from duty so that we could get married as we have dreamed. All these months were full of crazy uncertainty. We didn’t intend a big wedding, but this project is exactly what we need. We’re really excited. We are establishing not one Jewish home, but ten in one evening.”
For couples like Ohr and Raziel, the event marked the fulfillment of a long-awaited dream: a joyful wedding despite months of uncertainty and danger.
The Jewish Perspective on Marriage
The lessons of this celebration resonate deeply with this week’s Torah portion, Ki Teitzei, where the laws of marriage are taught, especially in the context of war. The Torah states:
“When a man has taken a bride, he shall not go out with the army or be assigned to it for any purpose; he shall be exempt one year for the sake of his household, to give happiness to the woman he has married” (Deuteronomy 24:5).
The Torah teaches that the first year of marriage is sacred — a time for the couple to focus on building a home, nurturing their relationship, and establishing happiness together. The Talmud expands on this idea, offering insight into the key to a successful marriage:
“Rabbi Akiva taught: If a man [ish] and woman [isha] merit reward through a faithful marriage, the Divine Presence rests between them. The words ish (איש) and isha (אשה) are almost identical; the difference is the middle letter yud in ish and the final letter heh in isha. These two letters can be combined to form the name of G‑d, yud‑heh. But if, through licentiousness, they fail to merit reward, the Divine Presence departs, leaving only the letters alef and shin — which spell esh, fire. In that case, fire consumes them.”
This teaching reveals that marriage is far more than companionship. It is about creating harmony, selflessness, and purpose beyond individual ego. When a couple dedicates themselves to a higher goal, they can communicate, share, and build together — forming a home infused with the Divine Presence.
When a couple merits, they combine their energies to create G‑dly “fire”: constructive energy that fuses the different elements of their lives into a cohesive whole. Without this divine purpose, the energy of the relationship becomes like raw fire — potent but unchanneled — which can cause harm instead of growth.
This principle extends beyond marriage to all meaningful relationships — between parents and children, siblings, friends, and workplace colleagues. In every connection, when individuals bring selflessness, mutual respect, and a higher purpose, the relationship thrives.
Every individual brings a unique character and potential to a relationship. Because of this individuality, fully sharing and communicating with another person can be challenging, often creating a sense of aloneness. Marriage teaches that what couples truly seek is connection — the ability to go beyond themselves and genuinely share life with another.
Building Lasting Homes and Families
In Jewish tradition, the home is considered a partnership of three: husband, wife, and the Divine Presence. A strong marriage is rooted in trust, selflessness, and shared values. The blessing recited for every bride and groom — to build an everlasting home on the foundations of Torah and mitzvot — reflects the secret to marital happiness.
Women hold a particularly powerful role in sustaining family values. As our Sages teach, “In the merit of the Jewish women we were redeemed from Egypt.” Similarly, the great Kabbalists emphasize that women will be at the forefront of bringing about the final Redemption, continuing their vital role in shaping the spiritual and moral future of the Jewish people.
Historically, women insisted on continuity and hope even under the harshest conditions, ensuring the survival and flourishing of the Jewish people. Today, their influence continues to shape homes & communities, instill pride, and transmit values to future generations.
A few practical ways to bring these values to life and strengthen family bonds include:
Sharing Shabbat dinners each week — creating a sacred time for connection, conversation, and family unity.
Giving and volunteering as a family — cultivating empathy, gratitude, and a shared sense of purpose.
Studying Torah together — exploring Jewish teachings as a family and sharing inspiring insights that guide values, decisions, and relationships.
The “Marrying the Warriors” celebration is more than a remarkable event in Tel Aviv; it is a living testament to the Torah’s vision of marriage: building joyful, enduring homes even amid challenges, fear, and uncertainty. It reminds us that the foundation of a Jewish family lies in partnership, purpose, and devotion — to each other and to our Divine mission. Together, we will usher in an era of unconditional love, connection, and unity in the world with the coming of Moshiach!
