IDF Officer Candidates Bible Quiz Finals Feature Bereaved Brother and Newlywed

The annual Bible quiz at the IDF Officer Candidate School (Bahad 1) was held this week for the second year, led by the Military Rabbinate and Bahad 1 Rabbi Captain Eliad Kornberg. The event, organized in cooperation with the school's education department, involved about 730 cadets from all battalions who participated in preparatory activities including tests, focused Bible study, navigation exercises inspired by biblical stories, and leadership-themed events under the motto "Seventy Faces of Leadership."

From the initial participants, 150 advanced to the second stage, and 12 cadets qualified for the final round. The final event took place before an audience of approximately 1,500, including Bahad 1 Commander Colonel A. and Military Rabbinate Chief of Staff Colonel Rabbi Shoham Orkabi. Among the finalists were two cadets with notable personal stories: one who lost his brother in the recent Operation Iron Swords war, and another who had married just one week before the final but continued to prepare and compete despite wedding celebrations.

Rabbi Kornberg, who initiated and led the quiz, emphasized the significance of connecting to the Bible within the IDF officer training framework, stating it symbolizes the continuity of the Jewish people and their eternal roots. He highlighted the dedication of cadets, both secular and religious, balancing daily military duties with Bible study. Kornberg concluded that the Bible remains a foundational element of Israeli officer identity and a source of inspiration for leadership challenges, both historically and today.