Moments before stepping into one of the most senior military positions in the Prime Minister’s Office, Maj. Gen. Guy Markizeno began the day with tefillin.

Markizeno, who was promoted today during a ceremony at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, officially assumed his new role as military secretary to Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu.

Shortly before the ceremony began, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Ofen, the Rebbe’s shliach to Tzahal and the security forces and a longtime friend of Markizeno, was invited to put on tefillin with him and give him a warm bracha in honor of the appointment.

The moment brought to mind the teaching of Chazal on the possuk, “All nations of the earth will see that the name of Hashem is called upon you, and they will fear you,” which Chazal explain refers to the tefillin worn on the head.

The official ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, the IDF Chief of Staff, members of the IDF General Staff, outgoing military secretary Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman, family members, and friends.

Photo: Avi Galan