Gad Elbaz: The Prayer for the IDF

This video presents popular Israeli artist Gad Elbaz’s musical rendition of the prayer for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, which is often recited in Zionist synagogues on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. The prayer, composed by the late Chief Rabbi and Chief IDF Rabbi, Shlomo Goren, asks God to protect the soldiers of the IDF and strike down their enemies. Gad Elbaz aims to promote Jewish unity through music, mixing original and biblical texts with ballads, harmonies, middle-eastern rhythms and modern pop. He believes that music can help bridge the gap between the secular and religious in Israel.