"Fasting during operational activity is prohibited; it is a life-threatening matter," says the Israeli Military Rabbinate.
The Israel Defense Forces Military Rabbinate has issued a ruling that soldiers engaged in “operational activities” may not fast on Tisha B’Av, the Jewish national day of mourning, which begins at sundown on Monday.
“Fasting during operational activity is prohibited; it is a life-threatening matter,” the Military Rabbinate stated, according to local media reports.
Soldiers in all combat sectors, “including the Gaza Strip, the north of Israel, Judea and Samaria; soldiers who may be called up for operational activity; as well as soldiers on guard duty should eat and drink to be able to function optimally,” according to the statement.
The statement comes after two soldiers fighting in the Gaza Strip and on the northern border became dangerously dehydrated while observing the fast of the 17th of Tammuz on July 23, according to reports.
