Moti Freidman is an IDF officer serving in the reserves. All he asks for is to receive the mehadrin food rations he is entitled to however he was compelled to go for days without receiving those rations.

Friedman tells his story on his Facebook page; “I am a reserve duty office, chareidi and hungry. I began serving this past Sunday for a training exercise. The training event simulated warfare, lasting all the hours of the day. I am not spoiled, but my body does require fuel. On Sunday, when I asked for a mehadrin lunch the response was ‘what is that?’ I was somewhat surprised because prior to my miluim (reserve duty) I received a phone call from the IDF to inquire if I want vegetarian, vegan or glatt? I was emotional as I responded I eat glatt. I thanked them for being concerned”.

“However, the glatt meals never arrived. For lunch I ate a roll that was left over from breakfast. For dinner they offered an enticing sandwich, prompting me to ask if the mehadrin food arrived. ‘No’ was the response as the logistics officer promised to make an inquiry. So for dinner, I ate my heart out”.

The story continues as Freidman asked permission to make a run to a grocery store in the area to buy some food. The officer he turned to was not pleased with the request for this was not the first time Friedman has experienced issues getting mehadrin food during miluim.

This continues during day two of his service, compelling him to make due with some cake and coffee that he managed to get his hands on. Family members learned of his situation, calling the rav of his unit to assist him. The rav tried to assist, albeit without success. Friedman began showing signs of slowing down as he complained of dizziness from the lack of food.

When a mehadrin meal finally arrived, Friedman quickly realized it was a frozen battle rations meal which was inedible. There was no oven available to heat the meal. Adding insult to injury, he had to pay for the train back to his home, learning that the printer in the office that was supposed to print his travel voucher did not work – so for him it was no food and pay for your own train home.

Friedman is not discouraged, planning to continue serving in the reserves but explains next time around he will be bringing food and sandwiches.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)