According to a report filed by some 45 soldiers, ‘Shlav Betnikim’ (minimal service soldiers) in their 30s, who do a limited military service, they were not given the proper consideration on 17 Tammuz, resulting in much hardship regarding the face day, the weekly Hebrew Mishpacha Magazine reports.
The frum soldiers report they were compelled to remain in extremely hot tents in the southern area training base, resulting in most of them breaking the fast. They explain that they asked the commander to be permitted to return later in the day Sunday from the Shabbos leave, but he refused, compelling them to return in the morning as is customary.
The recruits add it was their first leave, and as such, many were unfamiliar with the way back, resulting in some arriving late and having to face the punishments given them. Other report they traveled long distances, from the northern areas, and were already feeling tired and weaker upon their arrival.
“We were compelled to sit in the tents upon our return. It was like a sauna. It was cooler outdoors. Some of us got dizzy, felt nauseas, and some who are certified EMTs said others should break their fast due to the ‘alarming signs’,” they explain.
It should be pointed out that the commander did permit those who wish to enter the shul, which is air conditioned, but they said it was not fitting to hang around the shul so they remained in the tents. They added that at Mincha, they did not have a minyan since only 6 of them were still able to maintain the fast.
In response, the IDF Spokesman as quoted by Kol Chai Radio stated nothing was done in regard to the soldiers out of the context of orders and standing operating protocol.
Rabbi Dovid Nachman Blau, the Chinuch Atzmai liaison between the IDF and soldiers said, “We are dealing with spoiled avreichim, who for the first time in their lives got a taste of army life. I will not take part in the activities against the army. It is all nonsense. There is no such thing as basic training of three weeks.”
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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5 Responses
Had to reread this post twice, might need to sing “we’re in the army now..”, the negev is hot in Israel, very hot, extremely hot for everyone.
GET REAL guys!!
It is true….it is very hot in the Negev and well….the army is not a pleasant or easy place for anyone.
I was in the army on some fast days & I found it really just mattered where I was. I was on one large base in the Negev where they served an amazing pre-17 Tammuz fast meal & also served a late break fast just for those of us who were fasting. We felt like kings.
But I was guarding on the border on Tisha B’av in 104 degree heat and had to break my fast – I spoke to my Rav who spoke to a doctor & he said there was simply no question – I had to drink.
Anyway…..I can imagine the frustration & annoyance of these soldiers but again, the army isn’t fun – or always all that sensitive.
What is going on? Arabs are free and protected by the Israeli goverment to pray (against us) and do what they do and (l’havdil) Jewish soldiers in Israel have to compromise their fast? Not good!
to commenter #1, – we are not talking about having to deal with discomfort in a combat situation where there is no choice, or even with the normal discomfort of summer in the Negev. We are dealing with a small group of chayalim who are FASTING under those conditions. A supposedly Jewish state with a Jewish army should be able to be a bit accomodating to soldiers who are trying to do things k’halacha.
If they want to be frum, why would they be in the IDF. Israel is a secular state. It’s whole “raison d’etre” (reason for being) has always been to get Jews to give up the “backwards” practice of Torah and Mitzvos. While they have some segregated units (the Israeli equivalent of the “Colored regiments” of the US Army – but why would any actually want to live a black under Jim Crow), the Israeli army is inherently hostile to yiddishkeit. You will know things are changing when they adopt a policy of prohibiting persons from becoming officers due to their non-Torah personal lifestyle and lack of knowledge of halacha – and that change probably won’t occur unless Shas can form a government, with Mafdal as the primary opposition party.