Q&A: Call-Up for Reserve Duty on Friday
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Call-Up for Reserve Duty on Friday
Question
Hello Rabbi,
A real case that happened:
We were suddenly called up for reserve duty on Friday, 13.6.25, and all the signing for weapons and equipment dragged on into the Sabbath.
The religious guys signed with their left hand, but there was also a religious officer who filled out forms, and writing with his right hand was awkward (in his case, because he is left-handed).
What do you think the Jewish law is in a situation like this? Is it preferable to write normally?
Answer
It is preferable to do it with an unusual variation, but I’m not entirely sure that it is strictly necessary. If there is no time pressure and things are moving along, it is better to do it with an unusual variation.
Discussion on Answer
Why does it need to be done on the Sabbath?
Thank you.
Another question:
Sitting and doing the weekend duty roster on the Sabbath—the company commander wants to lock it in two weeks in advance.
A) Am I allowed to do that at all?
B) If it is allowed, is a computer preferable, or pencil and paper, or is there no preference here at all?