Hi,
I was not fasting in this Yom Kippur. This is the first time in 30 years I did not fast in Yom Kippur.
The day before we were sent in, it was the Fast of Gedalia. The Battalion Rabi was asked in the synagogue should we be fasting, even if we are not we get in today.
“Even you are not sure will be in today, and there a chance you will be in – you cannot fast. You need to be 100%, no 200% in fighting. If fasting will make 1% less, and it is – you should not fast”
About Yom Kippur, he said, it depends where you will be. But if you are in there, if you are fighting, you need not fast.
Well, we were in Lebanon, fighting. I was left with a group of soldiers back in the house in defense. Allegedly, I could fast as we were not out in mission. But we were still in Lebanon and could be attacked any minute. And I was, of course, the force commander. Even if other soldiers allowed themselves to fast (there was one I know for sure) – I could not do so.
This is not the first time I have been abroad in Yom Kippur (if you can call it abroad). I have been to Portugal once in Yom Kippur and thought to myself, should I be fasting.
It is one thing when you are in Israel, in your community, surrounded by by other Jews. While there I did not even had a watch and had to look on the church clock to know what time it is (yes, I can see the irony in it of course). Back then, I ended up deciding to fast.
Take Care
Gad
Yom Kippur Ne’ila pray in our house in defense in Lebanon