In honor of Shavuot, the festival commemorating the giving of the Torah, the organization Tzalash (Tazava L’Shem Shamayim in Hebrew – Army for the Sake of Heaven) is launching a special initiative to distribute thousands of elegant pocket-sized editions of the Talmud to IDF soldiers. The selected tractates, Sh’vuot (Vows) and Avodah Zara (Idolatry) were chosen for their profound relevance to themes of identity, commitment, and faith.
The acronym Tzalash also stands for Tziun L’Shvach—a “citation for excellence”—an honor awarded to IDF soldiers for acts of heroism on the battlefield. This dual meaning reflects the organization’s mission to inspire both spiritual and moral excellence among those who serve.
This extraordinary initiative was made possible through collaboration with Oz Vehadar Publishing, which generously granted Tzalash a special license to print the tractates free of charge—a meaningful gesture aimed at strengthening the Jewish spirit of Israel’s soldiers.
Tzalash was founded in 2012 by Rabbi Peretz Einhorn, driven by the belief that defending the Jewish people and the Land of Israel is both a right and a mitzvah. At the same time, the organization recognizes that military service often presents religious and emotional challenges. To address these, Tzalash provides a wide array of programs designed to help soldiers preserve their religious observance and maintain emotional resilience throughout their service.
In 2016, the organization launched a project to create and distribute specialized textbooks for soldiers in the field.
In 2020, it established “Eshet Chayil,” a dedicated support program for soldiers’ wives.
In 2022, In recognition of his leadership and contributions, Rabbi Einhorn was honored by the Rabbis of the Good Land Organization with the “Heroes of Strength” award for outstanding people of the Torah.
To foster camaraderie and a meaningful Shabbat atmosphere among all soldiers, Tzalash sponsors Shabbat morning kiddush gatherings, festive Shabbat events, and “tish” celebrations at IDF bases. These gatherings bring soldiers together for Torah study and moments of spiritual elevation, transforming Shabbat on base from a routine day of rest into a day of spiritual growth.
In addition, Tzalash organizes and supports Torah study sessions on Rosh Chodesh (the beginning of each Hebrew month), Jewish festivals, and other significant days throughout the year, enriching soldiers’ spiritual lives during their military service.
Rabbi Einhorn explained: “It is precisely because of the soldiers’ dedication that we strive to provide them with a deep and authentic connection to the Torah. Tractate Sh’vuot speaks of true oaths—of responsibility and covenant—while Tractate Avodah Zara explores in depth the challenges of maintaining Jewish identity in a complex world. There is no more fitting framework for this kind of spiritual deepening than the military setting.”
The tractates are currently being distributed by Tzalash coordinators, who personally visit bases across the country to accompany and support the soldiers. The initiative has been met with great enthusiasm from the troops. This effort is yet another link in the ongoing work of the Tzalash organization, which is dedicated to strengthening Jewish identity among all IDF soldiers—both religious and secular.
