Michael Levi, a successful French physician, left behind a comfortable life in Paris and immigrated to Israel two years ago, after being bitten by the aliyah (immigration to Israel) bug. Although he was already 40, Levi’s love for the country and his burning desire to contribute to it led him to opt for service in the Israel Defense Forces, despite opposition by his then girlfriend, now his wife.

“I had a good position as a doctor. I was worry-free and had pretty girlfriends. I was also a person who liked to enjoy the finer things in life, like good food. I enjoyed the good life and each day was better than the previous one. I felt as if I was on the top of the world,” Levi said.

Two years ago, Levi began to feel an emptiness in his life.

“I came to the conclusion that this was not the type of life I wanted to continue living. Instead of a passion for the good life, I was filled with a passion that was no less pleasant: that of Zionism. Just like that,” he said. “I had an overwhelming, uncontrollable feeling to fulfill that passion. In the middle of my life, I decided to leave behind the good life I had, my good position and my family, and immigrate to Israel to join the IDF.”

Everyone told Levi he was crazy. “They said leaving everything and joining the IDF is something a 20-year -old may do, not a 40-year-old. But I ignored what they said.”

After he arrived in Israel, Levi attended an ulpan (school for intensive Hebrew study) and eventually passed Health Ministry exams enabling him to receive a license to practice medicine in the country.

In July 2011, he joined the IDF and was sent to a medical officers’ course, during which he met his future wife.

Despite her intitial objection to his assignment in a combat unit, Levi was appointed chief physician of the elite Egoz reconnaissance unit, where he experienced, for the first time in his life, a more confined existence on a closed military base, work in the field instead of the office, and front-line deployments during drills.

Levi is spending the High Holy Days far from his family in France, but insists the feeling of satisfaction far outweighs the disadvantages.

“I am thoroughly happy. I am serving with youngsters, drilling with them, experiencing adrenaline rushes with them, and enjoying every moment. During these moments I compare my life in Paris and my life in Israel, and now in the Egoz unit. I find myself saying how glad I am to have made that decision about France, with all its splendor, not being my homeland. This is where my homeland is,” Levi says with satisfaction.