Despite requests from soldiers and a squadron commander of the rank of lt.-colonel, the air force will be holding a course completion ceremony on Tisha B’Av as scheduled, Kol Berama Radio reported on Tuesday, 5 Menachem Av.
The event occurs once annually, a three-hour program that is a significant event for the soldiers involved, who are expected to participate in full dress uniform. The air force officials responsible for scheduling the event do not seem interested in rescheduling after learning that Sunday is observed as Tish B’Av this year.
The squadron commander informed his soldiers that anyone fasting is excused, and may be in shul instead of attending the ceremony. It is reported that 25% of his soldiers are religious, and they are being excused from the program.
Kol Berama added that “sources in the IDF” quoting the base commander claim the ceremony will be pushed off to a yet undecided date but when soldiers inquired, they were told that for now the event will take place on Sunday as planned.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
It is a major concession if 25% of the soldiers are being allowed to skip the program without being expelled from the program. Apparently observing Tisha B’Av is a less serious offense than refusing to listen to women singing.
Oy vay, Oy vay, How could unzerer heilige yiddishe medina do such a terrible chilul hashem.
The next thing you know it might set up a legislative system which is not al pi shulchan aruch, conscript girls into the army, be rodef ehrliche yidden, ve’choolee ve’choolee.
Probably too early for this news post to be printed – while alternative dates are still being sought
just think about it if they (and i include myself in the they) DO THE RIGHT THING we will have no need to sit on the floor while fasting on Tish B’Av anymore