Hello all,

I'm an Orthodox Jew and I'm considering joining, probably AF, but that's still in the air. My main problem is- how
difficult will it be to keep the commandments while in the service? Any insight anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Hello & welcome to the forum.

Some of them are going to be difficult... you'll be in an atmosphere where a lot of the guys you work and share space with are going to be... lets say "rowdy."

With that in mind, your committment to God must be strong, so that you will not fall into behavior that you know is not right.... and it will be tempting.

I am not Jewish, but Christian... but, since we're talking about the same commandments here I presume (10 commandments)? you can surely imagine what I'm describing.

The guys & gals will want you to go drinking a lot... there will be lots of partying, sex and fun and that will be the focus of all "off time," for a lot of airmen, soldiers, marines & sailors alike.

It's important to find the right balance of faith (and thats any faith), work and fun. That's true for any job, but I believe more difficult to acheive in a military lifestyle - especially the YOUNG military lifestyle.

But, if any person joins, strong in ones own religious faith & determination to succeed, I believe the resources are there to do just fine.

Hopefully, some of our soldiers (or former soldiers) will jump in on this one... I am a spouse & speaking from my observations only...

Whatever your decision, may God bless you.
Amy

Thank you very much for your input. I'm actually referring to the 613 commandments (of which the 10 are just a small percentage) that include everything from Kosher to the Sabbath to not wearing wool and linen. As you said, I hope others contribute as well because this isn't a step I'm willing to take if I'm going to regret it.

- Chaim

some of them frankly will be impossible. your military duties will ALWAYS take precedence over Sabbath or any other important ritual. However, it won't be held against you.

Chaim,

I spoke with my husband who was active 8 years in the Army, and has been in the Guard ever since.... and asked if he had served with any Orthodox Jewish persons in the past.

His opinion was that your biggest problem would probably be merging the two into one lifestyle without making others think you're seeking favortism.... standing out if you sought things out of the ordinary, possibly.

Yet, when he served with an Orthodox Jew in the past, he could not think of any times that this had happened... Whomever he served with apparently handled it just fine.

He said the military makes every effort to accomodate any religious requirements or preferences when possible. You shouldn't have to worry about wool or linen - everything is cotton or "synthetic" materials. There are always many options available for food - even with MRE's to choose foods that you are able to eat.

The one thing he thought of that might be difficult is when your unit is in the field, you may be required to "work" on the sabbath - but only while in the field..... He says regular duty would not require this, and basic training usually doesn't either - you break on Sunday for rest, religious services (perhaps cleaning your boots, etc).

I don't know all the 613, so obviously, I can't address them all... but, those things came to mind when speaking with my husband. Hope that helps some...

Hope God gives you peace & guidance about your decision.

God Bless!
Amy

Unfortunately, the Sabbath is on Saturday, but perhaps the days could be switched? I have no problem training on Sunday instead.

As for the other 601, obviously I'm not going to go through a list, but the basics are:

1. I have to keep some sort of sideburn- I can't completely round it off.

2. Prayer times

Are these possible?

Any help here guys??

I keep hoping someone else will chime in here Chaim... I want to help, but am not the best to give the information you're seeking.

Hopefully, someone will pop in soon & post with more insight.

God Bless!
Amy

Chaim,

I'm in the same boat as you. Seems to me that the Air Force is the best out of all the branches for keeping religious. It'll be tough, but if someone can pull it off it's definitely worth it.

Kosher food: There are a few suppliers of (glatt, C.Y.) kosher MRE's, one of the best known is My Own Meals. My guess is we'll need to talk to the supply command to get these.

Peyos (sideburns): No idea. I assume if it's short they'll like it and so will halacha (jewish law). The first haircut you might not get a choice though.

Prayer: My plan is to grab whatever time I can get. It's not like I'll need several hours or anything, just a few minutes 3 times a day. Can't be too hard. (famous last words?)

Shabbos (sabbath): That's the tough one. I assume that a lot of the work will fall under Pikuach Nefesh (life-threatening situation), and therefor you can handle weapons or whatever else may be needed. I plan to ask my rabbi about this soon.

Good luck with whatever you do, though!

Thanks for replying.

Are you currently in the Service? Or still thinking about it?

Yeah, it appears like most of it is possible- if you do it correctly. According to some of the research I've done in the past few months, as long as you don't go "overboard," i.e. demand an hour for Shacharis (morning prayers), etc. you should be ok. I'm very surprised to hear that MoM has CY, though, thanks.

Yes, Shabbos is going to be the toughest, especially if your job is sitting in front of a computer somewhere in N. Virginia or something. My plan is to try to trade shifts with Sunday or something like that, but like you said, famous last words.

Do you know anything about negiah? (Translation is too complicated- I'll address as it comes up)

I'm not in there yet, still thinking about it.

Seems to me that prayer won't be too hard, kosher wont be too hard *if* you put an effort into it, etc.

As far as shabbos, that seems the toughest. I'm planning to go into a medical posting, so for me a lot of work would fall under pikuach nefesh (life threatening), but I assume you could use a shinui (alternate method) or something. Not sure what you could do during Basic training though.

No idea about negiah, but I assume you could treat it like a normal business/professional type thing? Again, that'll be a bit easier for me if I end up in medical. I'm still looking around for more info, I'll post here with whatever I find.

Greetings and special blessings.

I would just like to say that I was a Chaplain's Assistant for 28 years. Started at the bottom and worked my way up through the enlisted ranks and retired as a SGM, E-9.

Most of the larger bases will have a Jewish Chaplain and a Jewish Chapel, or one that can be set up for a Jewish Service. The Chapels have all the appointments used in the major faith groups. Jewish, Catholic and Prot.

I started out in the barracks, praying every morning. My room mates would make fun of me but I never let it get to me. I always said NO when asked if I wanted to go out with the group. As the ones before have stated, you will have to put up with some kidding and being made fun of. I think they are rougher on Christians.

If you end up in a unit without a Jewish Chaplain you should have a lay leader or you could become a lay leader in your unit.

As stated before, the Air Force is the better place to be.

May God richly bless and keep you.

Grover

Chaim,

I just now read your profile. That is great that you are thinking about becoming a Chaplain. As a chaplain you will not have all that much to worry about. The officers are not as rough as the enlisted personnel. You should be taking all of your training at the Chaplain's School. However, I do not remember seeing other branches (Air Force) of services at the Chaplain's School.

You will not carry a weapon, since Chaplains do not bear arms. You will have a Chaplain's Assistant who will have a weapon.

Grover

Oops! Thanks for bringing that to my attention- I'll have to update my profile. Since I wrote that my interests have changed. I now hope to go through AFROTC and graduate with a Computer Science degree, hopefully with a similar MOS (or whatever the Air Force calls it). Judaism doesn't believe in conscientious objecting, so carrying a weapon in defense isn't a problem. (People often mis-translate the sixth commandment as "don't kill." The hebrew translates into "don't murder.") I hope to get into cyber command or something along those lines. I haven't completely taken Chaplaincy off the list, though. I believe the Service could use more. And G-d bless you, Sir. Congratulations on your success.

I'm a reformed Jew on active duty in the Army. I don't know if you know it or not, but the Army recently got a new orthodox Jewish Chaplain. He's a member of the National Guard for the State of Georgia. I don't know his name, but I'm sure an online search will help you. Also, I would recommend checking out www.jewsingreen.org and also the Jewish Chaplains Council for guidance. Google it.

My dad did 30 years in the army But he was a reformed Jew as well. I suppose in the end it depends on what exactly you are willing to give up. I think in the end there are just gonna be some things you might have to deal with Aka The way you will have to wear you hair. If and how you will handle prays.

I wish you the best of luck.

quote:

www.jewsingreen.com

thats it correct link

I wish I have ambled over here a year ago. I can provide a lot of information on this topic. If someone else comes in with issues on Jewish Religious practice in the military will another mod please contact me for help. I was a Jewish Lay leader and have practiced both Orthodox and Conservative Judaism. Still do some hybrid of the two.

Don't worry, it's not too late. I've joined AFROTC, but I'm not contracted, and I'm still very interested in any information you have or any help you could give.