Within hours of Egypt and Syria's surprise attack on Yom Kippur 1973, Jerusalem transformed from a city wrapped in holy silence to a mobilization hub of urgent military activity. This firsthand account documents how Israeli society pivoted from peaceful observance to war footing, revealing an extraordinary metamorphosis of national character. Through ethnographic observation and personal narrative, the analysis captures the civilian response as it unfolded - from the lightning-fast activation of reserve forces to an overwhelming surge of civilian volunteers that exceeded organizational capacity. Traditional Jewish family values emerged in unexpected forms, with radio stations and businesses creating impromptu communication networks between soldiers and families. Most strikingly, Israel's famously individualistic culture temporarily dissolved into a unified national family (mishpachah), marked by unprecedented cooperation and mutual aid. Even high school students embodied this spirit of collective purpose, petitioning to graduate early for military service. The observations provide crucial documentation of civilian experiences during this existential crisis, demonstrating both Israel's vulnerability and its remarkable social resilience during a pivotal historical moment.