Training, preparing for combat, showering and even traveling to freshen up during Shabbat: these are some of the exceptional guidelines published by the Chief Rabbinate for combatants in the field. These are instructions published by the halachic cell in the war room of the Chief Military Rabbi, Brigadier General Eyal Crimea, which contains unique halachic rulings stemming from the long routine of war.
"Due to the continuation of the campaign on the one hand, and the fact that ground maneuvers have not yet begun, on the other hand, there are many ground forces that are in staging and training areas, but have not yet entered actual combat. Here, too, this requires greater attention to preparing for Shabbat, and preventing unnecessary desecration of Shabbat," the military rabbinate explained, stressing that with regard to forces that actually operate in combat and intensive operational activity, they are entitled to continue the operation on Shabbat as on a regular day.
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The document deals extensively with questions that have reached them in recent days and weeks, and clarifies, among other things, that there are significant actions that must continue to be taken on Shabbat as well. Thus, all the training required to raise the fitness of forces that may enter combat in the immediate future will be carried out on Saturday.
"Soldiers who are in combat zones or in formations that are directly engaged in preparations for it, will do everything necessary in the sand. It is imperative to document on Shabbat anything that may have operational benefit and help continuity of functioning." However, they noted that "in places where this is possible without much trouble and without detracting from the alert, tents should be erected, generators and vehicles and armored vehicles should be refueled, and the rest of the necessary infrastructure should be erected on Saturday evening."
The treatment of the spaces will also continue on Saturday. "Actions necessary to identify cavities will be carried out on Shabbat. Scanning and collection operations in the Gaza envelope, or in other places that may be required, will continue on Saturday in accordance with operational need. Notification to the family will be carried out as usual and without delay. There will be no funerals on Saturday."
Bodies in the Shura camp in Ramle, where the process of identifying bodies is being established, photo: Jonathan Shaul
Special instructions were also given regarding going out to freshen up on Shabbat, which is routinely forbidden. The military rabbinate instructed that soldiers engaged in actual combat should also go out for refreshment at home on Shabbat, if there is no possibility of refreshment at another time. Soldiers in staging and deployment areas who were not engaged in actual combat will go out to freshen up at home only if, in the opinion of commanders on the ground, there is indeed significant erosion that significantly impairs the continuation of preparations for combat. In addition, it is permitted to go for a refreshment or a short vacation on Friday, even if it is necessary to return to the unit on Saturday.
With regard to changing shifts on Shabbat in operations rooms, headquarters and assemblies – as a rule, if there are adequate conditions for sleeping and resting at the base, one should not return home on Shabbat. In unique situations, such as when intensive shifts are carried out, which require refreshment in order to gather physical and mental strength to continue working; Or in other situations that permit "return from rescue" as explained in the camp doctrine, it is appropriate to permit a trip home at the end of a shift, in consultation with the unit rabbi. If the shift ended close to the end of Shabbat, in any case it is appropriate to wait until the Sabbath ends.
The Rabbinate noted that "it is permissible for a rabbi or lecturer to join a vehicle traveling with a permit (on Shabbat Chag) in order to reach the forces in the assembly and combat areas and strengthen their spirit. Special travel for this purpose will be permitted only in exceptional cases and with the specific approval of the unit rabbi - such as when a group of soldiers participated in a battle in which there were casualties."
Soldiers preparing for ground maneuvers in staging areas in southern Israel, photo: Oren Cohen
This week, two of the most prominent rabbis in the religious sector, Rabbi Dov Lior and Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, visited the military rabbinical base in the Shura camp. The visit was led by the Chief Rabbi of the IDF, Brigadier General Rabbi Eyal Krim, and with the participation of the Head of the Rabbinical Department, Col. Chaim Weisberg, and Head of the Halacha Branch, Lt. Col. Rabbi Udi Schwartz.
The rabbis came to be impressed by the military rabbinate's activity in the war and in the effort to identify fallen soldiers, toured the treatment facility, received an overview of the activities of the treatment and identification system, and spoke and strengthened the rabbinical staff engaged in this sacred work.
Visiting Rabbi Dov Lior and Rabbi Yaakov Ariel at the Shura camp, photo: Military Rabbinate
In addition, the rabbis, together with senior corps officials, discussed halachic issues related to fighting on the Sabbath. Rabbis Lior and Ariel concluded the visit with a clear statement that "the military rabbinate is the mara-datra of the army, and every ruling issued by it must be relied upon without any reflection." This follows the words of Rabbi Avigdor Nebenzell, who also visited the Shura camp this week and also relied on the rulings of the military rabbinate.
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