Maj.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi officially took over as chief of general staff of the Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday.

Following a ceremony at IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, Kochavi and his predecessor, outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, took a traditional tour of Jerusalem, including lengthy stops at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and the Western Wall.

The visits are meant to be a reminder of what Israel's military chiefs are fighting to defend: The Jewish people and faith.

During his swearing-in ceremony, Kochavi stated that he was taking the reins of the IDF with "holy awe."

PHOTO: Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot (left) with incoming Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi at IDF headquarters, the Kirya, in Tel Aviv, on January 15, 2019. (Flash90)