“I’m Fine, Really” - The Lie Israelis Keep Telling | 10@9 | 2026.02.25

We tell the story of IDF officer Elkana Bar Eitan, who was seriously wounded in 2006. Living with constant, severe pain, he declined surgery and other treatment and carried on as if nothing was wrong. In 2023, he was called up again and returned to combat—afraid that if a medical committee knew the truth, they would stop him. Thousands of Israelis, and millions of people around the world, say the same words every day: “I’m fine, really.” Often, they’re not. And they have many reasons for not telling the truth. If nothing else, this should make us more understanding—and more patient—when we hear those words. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman ([email protected]) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.