First General Of The Israeli Army
Discover the untold history of the first general of the Israeli Army, decades before the modern state of Israel was established in 1948. In 1879, Ashkenazi Jews establishing a kibbutz struggled to defend themselves against local attacks. Their fortunes changed when a guard named Yehuda Rav encountered David Abu Yosef, a formidable warrior from the Khaybar Jews who rode a white horse and carried a massive sword.
Rabbi Yaron Reuven reveals how David Abu Yosef stayed with the settlers for a year to train them in combat and defense tactics. He taught them strategic maneuvers, such as using decoy bonfires to misdirect enemy fire away from the settlers. Adopting specific rules of engagement, like using swords and deliberately injuring rather than killing attackers to instill fear without provoking lethal revenge. This early training eventually served as the foundation for the various divisions of the modern Israeli Army.
