I'D'F' Rabbinate

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I.D.F. Rabbinate
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The Ideal

• To act as the exclusive military Halachic
  authority.
• To enhance the spiritual ethical force of the
  IDF units and commanders by direct involvement in
  all military activity.
• To be the primary professional authority in all
  religious concerns of the army.
• To form a common military environment with a
  Jewish Identity and respond to the religious
  needs of every soldier and commander.
• To be a unifying factor between the varied
  populations of the IDF.
• To establish policy and give response in the
  fields of Kashrut, Sabbath, Casualty Care and
  Personal Welfare.

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Military Rabbinate Corps - HQ Structure
Major General
Chief Military Rabbi
Major
Aide-de-camp
COL
COL
LTC
Head of Kashrut and Halacha Dept.
Head of Religious Services
LTC
LTC
Beit Din and Allocations Officer
Organization and Personnel Management
LTC
LTC
LTC
LTC
LTC
LTC
Head of Logistics and Control Branch
Head of Kashrut Branch
Head of Torah Values in Combat Branch
Head of Sabbath and Explanation Branch
Head of Identification and Burial Branch
Commander of Military Rabbinate Base
The Rabbinate Officers are part of both permanent
deployed army units.
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Religious Rights and Equality

• The IDF has a Jewish character, operating out of
  moral obligation to the historical traditions of
  the Nation of Israel, and in accordance with her
  spirit.
• The army recruits all citizens to its service
  regardless of religion or race, and provides its
  members with the ability to follow their
  religious beliefs.

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The Sabbath and Festivals

• The Sabbath is a fundamental day in the Jewish
  Tradition commemorating Biblical Genesis.
• The Jewish Festivals form an integral part of the
  IDF calendar.
• Jewish Tradition permits only work performed for
  the purpose of saving lives and protecting the
  country.
• The Military Rabbinate defines which tasks are
  allowed on the Sabbath Holidays and when it is
  necessary to continue operational activity during
  these days.
• National Holidays commemorating major historical
  events in the State of Israel.
• The IDF enables the observance of religious
  festivals of all faiths.

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Kosher Food

• Jewish Tradition defines the types of food which
  are permitted or forbidden for consumption.
• The food served to all army units is Kosher by
  definition, even where there are no religious
  soldiers or in a non Jewish unit (Bedouin).
• The Rabbinate supervises all food products and
  the preparation of food provided to the soldiers.

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Synagogue Prayer

• Supporting the prayer needs of the soldiers.
• Permanent Mobile Synagogues in all units.

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Equipment Resources

• The Military Rabbinate is responsible for
  supplying the soldiers with their religious needs
  and has the logistic response for land, sea and
  in the air.

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Jewish Studies Spiritual Enrichment

• Providing for further Jewish education to
  soldiers.
• Enrichment lectures on historical and religious
  themes.
• Tours at historical sites.
• Connection to Jerusalem and its Tradition.

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Morale and Spiritual Welfare

• Personal Counseling.
• Morale Support.
• Combat Spirit.
• Family Guidance
• Wedding Ceremonies

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Casualty Care

• Providing for the spiritual needs of the sick
  wounded.
• Providing for the dignified treatment of IDFs
  KIA and their families.
• Precise and fast identification of the deceased.
• Digital Fingerprinting and Dental Imaging/X-Rays
• Military Cemeteries.
• Funerals and Memorial Services.

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Wartime Lebanon 2

• Morale support on the Front.
• Religious services under battle conditions.

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• Questions??