IDF Rabbi: Soldiers in Enemy Territory Must Not Fast on Yom Kippur

Rabbi Udi Schwartz, head of the Halakha (Jewish law) branch in the IDF's Rabbinate, has clarified that soldiers operating in enemy territory are prohibited from fasting on Yom Kippur, even if they believe it will not impair their performance. He emphasized that operational missions take precedence, and soldiers must eat and drink as usual to maintain their operational readiness.

Schwartz explained that the ongoing fighting in various arenas, including Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Judea and Samaria, necessitates prioritizing the soldiers' operational fitness. He recounted instances where soldiers who attempted to fast experienced dizziness or fainted during operations, requiring their evacuation and disrupting the mission. The directive applies even if a soldier feels well, as the potential for sudden incapacitation is a critical factor.

The Rabbinate has categorized fasting guidelines into four groups. Soldiers in enemy territory must not fast. Those on less intense missions not under fire will have their fasting status determined by unit rabbis. Soldiers performing essential physical tasks, such as aircraft technicians or guards in extreme heat, are also required to eat and drink. Command staff in control rooms are generally expected to fast but may eat and drink if concentration is affected.

To address the spiritual difficulty for soldiers who must eat, a special prayer has been distributed, reframing eating and drinking as a mitzvah (commandment) that enables them to protect the nation. The Rabbinate has also distributed holiday supplies, including shofars, prayer books, and special food packages, to units, even those in active combat zones. Efforts are made to provide religious items like etrogs and lulavs, with meticulous checks to ensure their kashrut (kosher status).

Schwartz highlighted the extensive work of the Rabbinate, which handles tens of thousands of inquiries annually on various religious matters, including Shabbat observance, prayer, and kashrut, tailored to operational realities. The Rabbinate also provides support for bereaved families with a revised Yizkor (memorial) prayer and has addressed unique halakhic issues, such as building sukkahs under drone-protection nets.