This is an article from the December 26, 1978 edition of the Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv about soldiers on active duty lighting Chanukah candles. The article opens with a quote from a ruling from the Chief Rabbinate of the IDF allowing soldiers to light candles with any available oil if they are in a situation where they cannot obtain olive oil, which is the most preferred. The rabbinate even allowed them to say the blessings over flashlights, if there was no other choice, and to light candles in a private place, if lighting in public, as is the custom, would put the soldiers in danger. The article continues to state that this year the “emergency” measures of lighting with a variety of oils won’t be necessary, since chanukiyot and candles have been distributed to all soldiers, regardless of their location. The rabbinate also arranged Chanukah parties for the soldiers, which included lectures on the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks. The article finishes by saying that Chabad followers will also visit army bases to dance with the soldiers and bring greetings from the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
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Chanuka - Chanuka celebrates the rededication of the Temple by Judah the Maccabee and his army after their victory over the Greeks in 165 BCE. One of the well-known miracles of the Chanukah story is the small portion of oil that was able to light the Menorah in the Temple and burn for eight nights. Chanukah begins on 25 Kislev and is celebrated by lighting a Chanukiya for eight nights. It is also traditional to eat fried foods (to symbolise the oil) and play with spinning tops known as dreidles.
IDF Rabbinate - A rabbinical unit was formed in the IDF from the beginning of its creation. Headed by the chief military rabbi, the unit tends to the religious needs of the army. The chief military rabbi is appointed by the IDF chief of staff and is the highest religious authority in the IDF, ruling on Jewish law within the military environment during regular times and at times of combat. There is a representative of the military rabbinate in each unit of the army. Since military conditions are often unpredictable and dangerous, special rulings are often made for emergency situations.
