There’s No Place Like Home: The Oz of Israel’s 77-Year Journey
BY RABBANIT SHANI TARAGIN
Throughout Tanach, the Hebrew word עֹז (oz) resonates as a profound expression of strength, resilience, and divine fortitude. This concept appears repeatedly in Biblical text as a description of G-d’s might, as a quality bestowed upon leaders, and as the inner spiritual resilience that sustains both individuals and the nation of Israel. As Israel marks its 77th year of independence, particularly in the shadow of the trials following October 7th and the ongoing war, the theme of עֹז carries extraordinary significance.
In Tehillim 68, the motif of עֹז reaches its crescendo, particularly in the concluding verses 34–36:
לָרֹכֵב בִּשְׁמֵי שְׁמֵי קֶדֶם הֵן יִתֵּן בְּקוֹלוֹ קוֹל עֹז.
To Him who rides the ancient highest heavens, Who thunders forth with His mighty voice.
תְּנוּ עֹז לֵאלֹקים עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל גַּאֲוָתוֹ וְעֻזּוֹ בַּשְּׁחָקִים. נוֹרָא אֱלֹקים מִמִּקְדָּשֶׁיךָ אֵ-ל יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא נֹתֵן עֹז וְתַעֲצֻמוֹת לָעָם…
Ascribe strength to G-d; His majesty is over Israel, and His strength is in the skies. Awesome is G-d from His sanctuary; the G-d of Israel – He gives strength and power to the people…
These verses illuminate a profound truth: while Hashem’s עֹז extends throughout creation, it manifests with particular intensity in the Land and People of Israel as He wages war on their behalf against their enemies (Radak). The phrase “His majesty is over Israel” suggests that the divine presence and heavenly strength find their complete expression in this sacred and most precious Land as a protective force enveloping Israel (Ibn Ezra).
Similarly, Tehillim 29, which we recite every Shabbat to declare Hashem’s omnipotence, concludes with the powerful declaration: “Hashem gives strength (עֹז) to His people; Hashem blesses His people with peace” (Tehillim 29:11). This verse captures the duality of עֹז: it is both the capacity granted by Hashem to the nation of Israel to stand firm in adversity, and the divine blessing that ultimately enables peace.
The gematria (numerical value) of עֹז is 77, which reinforces the theme of divine strength transcending the natural order, which has been foundational to Israel’s destiny and survival throughout history. The numerology is striking upon this 77th anniversary of Medinat Yisrael, invigorating us with fortitude to rebuild. עֹז consists of two letters – ayin (70) and zayin (7). Together, they mirror the struggle and victory emerging from the devastation of October 7th, and 70 years of planting anew following destruction (Ta’anit 23a). Moreover, in the “At-Bash” numerology system,1 the letter ע aligns with the letter ז, suggesting that the concept of strength forms a bridge connecting our ancestral stories, present circumstances, and hopes for the future – providing an enduring foundation of resilience and renewal.
The historic Battalion 77 (“גדוד “עז) of the IDF embodies the very essence of עֹז – resilience and fortitude, qualities crucial to Israel’s survival and growth. Established in 1969 within the 7th Brigade, it was designed to train soldiers to function as cohesive units, emphasizing the power of unity over mere individual strength. The battalion played a crucial role during the Yom Kippur War under the command of Avigdor Kahalani in the Golan Heights, where it stood as Israel’s shield in the “Battle of the Valley of Tears,” fought from October 6–9 1973. Facing overwhelming odds – approximately 160 Syrian tanks – the warriors of Battalion 77 displayed extraordinary courage, halting the enemy advance and ensuring the survival of the northern front. Their tenacity led to the battalion’s famed nickname, “Oz 77,” forever associating their valor with the Hebrew concept of strength.
Exactly fifty years later, the story of Captain Daniel Perez, Hy”d, echoes that of the brave warriors of the past. Fighting heroically as platoon commander in Battalion 77 in Nachal Oz on October 7th, he exemplified the same legacy of courage, self-sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to Am Yisrael. His bravery stands as a modern-day reflection of the enduring spirit of עֹז in Israel’s history.
The 77th anniversary of Israel’s independence is not merely a commemoration of survival; it is a testament to the power of resilience and faith. As we reflect on this milestone, we draw inspiration from Tanach’s depiction of עֹז, from the heroes of Oz 77, and from those who continue to defend Israel today. Just as the warriors of the past drew strength from their convictions, today’s generation continues to embody that same unyielding spirit.
In a world that often tests Israel’s endurance, the legacy of עֹז – both divine and human – remains its guiding force. Unlike the fictional “Oz” where the wizard’s power was an illusion, Israel’s עֹז is authentic and derives from the “G-d of Israel – He gives strength and power to the people” (Tehillim 68:36). May He continue to bestow עֹז upon us and bless us with peace in the Land where resilience meets faith, in the only and holy Land we call “home.”
1 At-Bash (א-ת, ב-ש) is an ancient Hebrew numerology system where the first letter of the alphabet (א/aleph) is substituted with the last letter (ת/tav), the second letter (ב/bet) with the second-to-last (ש/shin), and so on. This creates pairs of letters with special mystical significance. In At-Bash, the letter ע (ayin) corresponds with ז (zayin), both components of the word עֹז (strength).
Rabbanit Shani Taragin is Educational Director of Mizrachi, Mizrachi-Lapidot and Matan Eshkolot Programs for Educators, and the Rosh Women’s Beit Midrash for Yeshiva University in Israel.