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3:44 pm
October 24, 2011
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Chaimss
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I'm currently on schedule to commission, G-d willing, this June. I've already started preparing somewhat, learning the laws of Shabbos and Kosher (i.e. what's permitted in a pinch and what's not) but I was wondering what anyone could think of from their own experiences. The only things I can think of currently is adjusting the Tefillin knot and reading Meggilas Esther, but I'm sure there are other things, big or little, that I should be learning in the seven months I have left. I'd appreciate any ideas, and thank you for your help.
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4:14 pm
October 25, 2011
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Michael
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Chaim Shmuel,
Whatever you learn, make sure to learn the difference between halacha and chumra or minhag. Being machmir can be nice and has it's place, but it's critical to know what halachos are actually required and what are midos chassidus. Along with that, it's important, in my opinion, to have a Rav who has a pragmatic view of the world. Pick a Rav you like and fits your hashkafa but make sure he has an understanding of life outside the walls of a Yeshiva. I often tell a story about one of my Yeshiva Rabbis who was blown away that I had taken advantage of the fact that one can fulfil the mitzvah of parshas zachor by hearing the Torah reading on Purim morning. It had never occured to him that halachos like that could be put into practice. In his mind they were purely theoretical. That kind of approach, while valuable to the Jewish world (pure scholars are crucial to our surival), will not serve you well in your career. You need to know what you will do if a woman begins to sing the national anthem, some people walk out, some do not. I'm not going to pasken for you, but one is a chillul HaShem and the other is not. Will you shake hands with a woman superior officer, a subordinate, a dependant? You need to know before it happens. Would you eat something like a salad or other uncooked vegitables in a non-kosher restaurant? Again I'm not your posek but things like this will come up and I recommend you be prepared. It's always a good idea to consult with a Jewish chaplain  in addition to your Rav on difficult or military specific issues.
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11:33 pm
November 8, 2011
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Chaimss
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Thank you, I have started looking and I think I met someone today who just might fit the bill. Hopefully I'll have most of the major things covered, but what about the minor things? The Parshas Zachor example is a good one, are there any other things I may just not think of that may come up? And most importantly, anything I can prepare for in advance?
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8:33 pm
November 24, 2011
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smjsd
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Finding food that is completely free of pork fat or lard can be very hard if you are living on base and recieve your meals from the galley.
I haven't meet too many Orthodox Jews while I've been on active duty; be prepared for a lot of people not knowing much about Judaism. Lots will be curious, some will be detered and intimidated by your devotion. And I'm not talking about anti-Semitism, just ignorance about a religious life versus a secular life.
Get the most compact types of materials that you can: pocket editions of books or a Kindle-type reader for a library, travel candle-holders, a short shofar. Depending on your specialty, you may travel a lot and you won't have much room.
People will be different from you. There is little to prepare you for that except an open mind.
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3:20 pm
November 28, 2011
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Michael
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You'll spend a lot of time w/o a minyan. Learn to be as self sufficient as possible. Learn the b'dieveds. If one doesn't know the trop, you can read megillah instead of lain it. Learn to blow shofar. Things like that. I know a chaplain who got a kabbalah to shecht chickens. What about carrying on Shabbos on base? Be prepared to be stuck places for Shabbos. Leave a Shabbos kit in your car (matzah, grape juice, candles, timers for the lights, food, etc)
You need to think about the possibility of "working" on Saturdays. There have been times where I had to be at work on Shabbos, for non-emergencies (not even close), but didn't have to do melacha. Are you willing to come in (sleep on the base and walk) on Shabbos when necessary and do as much non-melacha work as you can, or will you insist on being off on Shabbos when your entire unit may be working? (you can see my opinion here) The more accommodating and the easier to work with you are, the easier time you'll have being accommodated when you really need it.
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4:02 pm
December 4, 2011
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Capt Rubin
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