"Do Whatever is Necessary": The Instructions of the Military Rabbinate for Shabbat

Shabbat in the shadow of the conflict. In the military rabbinate, they are emphasizing religious aspects for the Sabbath for the soldiers on the front lines. The guidelines are based on the principles of Rabbi Shlomo Goren, who determined that everything necessary should be done until victory is achieved.

According to the emphasis, it is allowed to carry items in a regular manner, and there is no need to establish eruv (Sabbath boundaries) that might divert attention from the war effort. Rabbis who are stationed in rear areas and engaging in this activity will not interfere with their military preparations, can establish eruv based on the existing arrangements in the different commands.

All combat operations and combat support on the front and in the rear will be done on Shabbat like on weekdays. Soldiers who are in rear areas and their work is not done in a hurry at all, as well as soldiers who are on standby will keep the Shabbat as it is and try to make Kiddush (and make the blessing over challah as well) and observe the prayers as ordered.

Guard duty rotations, useful operational documentation, training, and the inspection of equipment will proceed as usual. The signing of weapons and similar activities will be carried out with adjustments, but not in a manner that causes delays.

In permanent bases on Fridays, a sufficient amount of cooked food for the Shabbat meals will be provided. Heating trays will be delivered to various points in the base. In places where combat forces require hot food and no alternative solution is found, transportation will be arranged for them during Shabbat.

In assembly areas, a hot meal will be provided on Friday evening, and the Shabbat morning meal will consist of items from field refrigerators. For soldiers in combat zones and those about to enter combat immediately who require hot food, it is permissible to transport it to them during Shabbat.

All activities related to retrieving casualties and processing identifications will be carried out as usual in order to expedite the identification and burial process as much as possible. Notifying the families will also be done promptly and without delay. Funerals will not take place during Shabbat.