Final answer:
Gitl made Hannah promise not to cry because she believed that women must be strong and proud when their men go off to war.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gitl made Hannah promise not to cry because she believed that when men go off to war, their loved ones must be strong and proud, even if they are left with an empty sleeve or pantaloon.
She thought that crying would diminish the glory of her husband's sacrifice for their country.
By asking Hannah not to cry, Gitl is trying to uphold the belief that women should be resilient and supportive during times of war.