Q&A: The Wording of the Oath of Allegiance to the IDF
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
The Wording of the Oath of Allegiance to the IDF
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Do you think the word “to sacrifice” in the oath of allegiance to the IDF should be changed to “to risk”?
Here is the wording of the oath:
I hereby swear and pledge on my honor to remain faithful to the State of Israel, its laws and its authorized authorities, to accept upon myself unconditionally and without reservation the burden of discipline of the Israel Defense Forces, to obey all the orders and instructions given by the authorized commanders, and to devote all my strength, and even to sacrifice my life, for the defense of the homeland and the freedom of Israel.
Answer
Obviously. It’s strange to me that this is the wording.
I would also omit “unconditionally and without reservation.”