Jewish Soldiers on Ukraine Front Seek Circumcision for Faith and Protection
In recent weeks, a growing number of Jewish soldiers serving on the front lines in Ukraine have requested to undergo circumcision, both to connect with their Jewish faith and as a spiritual safeguard amid the war. The trend began about six weeks ago when a Jewish soldier stationed between Sumy and Kharkiv contacted the city’s rabbi, Yechiel Shlomo Levi Levintsky, asking for a circumcision as soon as possible. Mohel Rabbi Yoel Galber, who was conducting circumcisions at Chabad centers across Ukraine, agreed to travel to the heavily shelled city of Sumy despite the dangerous conditions near the front.
The journey was difficult due to impassable roads damaged by harsh winters and tank movements, and the initial driver refused to proceed after hearing about Russian advances near Sumy. Eventually, another driver was found, allowing Rabbi Galber to reach the central synagogue and perform the circumcision. The soldier, identified as Grigory P., in his mid-40s, shared at the celebratory meal that his military role involves the harrowing task of collecting fallen Ukrainian soldiers’ bodies under constant fire and mine threats. This experience led him to reflect deeply on life and faith, deciding that if he were to die, he wanted to do so as a Jew, symbolized by the covenant of circumcision.
Moved by his words, the small group present at the ceremony was emotionally affected. Grigory immediately returned to the front line, declining the mohel’s offer to rest. News of this event spread among Jewish soldiers, prompting six more to request circumcisions for similar reasons, either to strengthen their faith or seek protection through the mitzvah.
Following this, a collaboration began between Rabbi Galber and the Federation of Jewish Communities in Ukraine, coordinated by Yaakov Siniakov, who supports Jewish soldiers at the front. They provide basic supplies alongside Jewish prayer books and engage soldiers in discussions about faith and the significance of circumcision. Plans are underway to organize group circumcision events for soldiers granted leave. The Federation expressed hope that the mitzvah will protect the fighters and enable their safe return to peaceful lives with their families.
