In a country where kosher food dominates anything else can be seen as a crime. One new Israeli soldier learned this the hard way. An unidentified American born man recently embarked on a mission to honor his family and go to Israel to join the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He uprooted his life from Boston and made the extensive trip to join extended family in his heritage country.
The cadet is currently attending training school, and it appears strict rules are in place the soldier missed regarding his eating habits.
Per the military’s regulations the food must be kosher and properly cooked. Never use the same cookware, utensils and dishware for meat and milk. The most important factor of the rules includes, “all meat for the soldiers carry must receive the rabbinical stamp of competence, and testify it is kosher.” (roughly translated).
During a break in training, the soldier sat down and pulled out a non-kosher and forbidden pork sandwich his grandmother lovingly made for him. Soon after, his superiors discovered the soldier not only ate the non-approved meat but also shared it with others. He was called into a disciplinary hearing by his battalion commander.
The immigrant was immediately tried and punished to serve 11 days in jail for consuming the meat. The IDF called his behavior “unbecoming” of a soldier in training. The soldier and his family reached out and explained the soldier was not aware of the kashrut laws. Reportedly, the family led an outcry against the sentencing, calling it harsh for the cadet’s dietary ignorance.
The IDF later reversed the sentence and reduced it to confinement on base and a loss of weekend furlough time.
Israel permits the consumption of animals that have cloven hooves and chew their cud. Pigs do not chew their cud thus making them forbidden. Additionally, they are known as a filthy animal which should hold no consumption value. With more Americans joining the IDF, the cadet taught them a valuable lesson on following the dietary restrictions.