A few days ago I got back from a three day trip with my garin. The purpose of this trip was for all of us to be together before we go into the army. We traveled by the Dead Sea in the Yehuda Desert (מדבר יהודה) and it was incredible. Part of me wishes I could run away and hike for a few months!
But wait, I almost forgot! I want to explain to all of you what a garin even is!
Literal definition: Garin (גרעין) means seed or nucleus in Hebrew.
My definition: A garin is a group of people with common goals and mindsets that are brought together for a specific purpose. For instance, my garin is made up of 21 Americans that have decided to join the Israeli Defense Force.
Obvious metaphor: A garin is a group that learns to depend on each other for support, criticism, and motivation. While it may not be the most beautiful at first, it ultimately grows into a gorgeous flower (see what I did there? Grows! Into a flower! Boy I am good).
What all this means to me: Well now. I am a lone soldier (this is the term given to IDF soldiers without immediate family living in Israel). My family and friends are on the other side of the world. I am clearly American. My Hebrew is a work in progress. When all is said and done, I should feel very, very alone.
But I don't. And I'm not.
My garin gives me a home to return to on the weekends. Friends that will be going through what I am going through and will be struggling with things that only lone soldiers struggle with. With them, I know that I have the strength to do what I know I must do.
These are the people I have spent the last two and a half months with, and will share a home with for the next two years. Luckily for me, I love my garin, and am sure it will continue to blossom (See what I did there?? Blossom! ...I should just quit now.)
BIG P.S. I found out when and where I will be serving in the army! November 27 in שריון, the tank unit. I am enjoying my last couple weeks before the draft, but at this point I am as ready as I could be. (I think.)
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