On May 26, 1948, in the midst of the War for Independence, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were officially formed. The Israeli Prime Minister at the time, David Ben-Gurion, ordered the IDF to be set up as a conscript army to unify the Haganah, Etzel, and Lechi, the separate military organizations that had been fighting for the Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael since the early 20th century. The “Spirit of the IDF” is the code of ethics that defines the institution’s values. It underlies the activities of every soldier throughout their regular or reserve service. The Spirit draws from four sources: the traditions and heritage of the IDF; the tradition of the State of Israel being democratic, principled, lawfully-adherent, and respectful of the institutions; the traditions of the Jewish people throughout our history; and the strict adherence to the universal moral values based on the value and dignity of human life. The IDF is unique among the world’s conscription militaries in that it requires women to serve as well as men. Many women are inducted as pilots in the air force, while some serve in the co-ed combat unit called the 33rd “Caracal” Battalion.At the time of its founding, the IDF was mostly infantry and tank battalions, a handful of borrowed planes, and no significant naval force. Today, it consists of ground forces, an air force, and a navy. Though its capacity and capabilities have transformed, both the IDF and Israel’s security services have been dedicated to serving and protecting the Israeli people, regardless of their background, extending a helping hand to Jews in need abroad while also offering aid to nations dealing with natural disasters.