Q&A: Pain and Suffering in Animals — Does It Exist?
Pain and Suffering in Animals — Does It Exist?
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Should one recite the "Shehecheyanu" blessing upon being drafted into the IDF? And should one recite a blessing upon receiving and wearing the uniform?
Thank you very much!
Answer
Shehecheyanu? Why? I would recite "Blessed is the true Judge" (or say the justification of the judgment). Obviously one should enlist, and it is important to enlist, but is this really a joyful event from your perspective? It is a very sad event in quite a few respects. Wasting time, mind-numbing nonsense, dealing with unnecessary things, being under the authority of people and fairly stupid rules, killing and injuring people, entering danger and very hard work conditions (lack of sleep, bad food, discipline), and more. Would you recite Shehecheyanu before entering a dangerous operation? It may be very important and life-saving, but it involves suffering.
Discussion on Answer
Well, clearly I can. I hope it doesn't ruin the motivation. That ought to be determined by the importance, not by the enjoyment. On the contrary, painting too rosy a picture may cause a person to break when he encounters the very un-rosy reality.
Rabbi! You can't kill someone's morale or buzz and motivation like that, before he's even started.
Isn't that demoralization!?
Not that I did army service (yet?)…. But seemingly, one who sees a tank is not like one who sees tefillin as just tefillin../
Of course it's not trivial or unimportant… and I've heard there are those who call it the holy of holies. 🙂