Giyus Diaries: Day 1

I have just arrived home from my first 24 hours as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces. Despite my extremely short army career, I have already been able to pick some of the basic rules that all soldiers have to follow. Here are IDF Ten Commandments:

1. I am your commander.

2. You must respond “Yes sir!” to anything I tell you. All of my orders must be executed immediately.

3. When addressing any commander or person of rank, you must stand straight, with your feet in a ‘V’, your hands behind your back, and address the commander as “HaMefaked“.

4. You shall not come late. All times that the commanders set must be met with precision. If you show up late, I hope you like washing dishes.

5. You shall not laugh or smile in the presence of a commander. 

6. Read that last one again. Wipe that smile off your face.

7.  When standing at attention, nobody moves without permission. Scratching your nose requires moving. Ask a commander for permission, and then you can step back and scratch your nose.

8. You shall never, ever, take a tremp (hitchhike).

9. You shall represent the army with respect and dignity. You must be clean shaven, tucked in and have your shoes shined when walking in public.

10. Be back here on Sunday at 10 AM. Shabbat Shalom.