This prayerbook was designed to serve as a unifying liturgical text for soldiers of all backgrounds.
By Hezy Laing
The IDF doesn’t only have its own official uniforms, tanks and missiles, it also has its own official prayer book.
The official IDF siddur, titled Siddur Tefilot L’Hayyal (Prayer Book for the Soldier), was created in 1963 by Rabbi Shlomo Goren, then Chief Rabbi of the IDF.
It was designed to solve a very specific and pressing problem: how to unify prayer practices across a diverse military population while adapting Jewish liturgy to the realities of army life.
Israel’s military includes soldiers from a wide range of backgrounds—Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, secular, religious, and everything in between.
Before the siddur’s creation, soldiers often lacked access to prayer books that matched their traditions or were suitable for field conditions.
There was also no standardized liturgy for situations unique to military service, such as battlefield prayers, mourning fallen comrades, or spiritual reflection during combat.
This prayerbook was designed to serve as a unifying liturgical text for soldiers of all backgrounds within the IDF, offering a Nusach Achid—a “unified rite”—that could transcend denominational divides.
Rabbi Goren envisioned a siddur that would reflect both the spiritual needs of soldiers in combat and the national mission of the army.
The siddur includes daily prayers, Shabbat and holiday liturgy, and special prayers for moments unique to military life: before battle, after victory, in times of injury, and mourning fallen comrades.
It also contains texts that speak directly to the soldier’s role as a protector of the Jewish people and the Land of Israel.
The Nusach Achid itself is a blend of Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions, leaning toward the Nusach Sfard style, which was seen as a middle ground.
This was a deliberate choice by Rabbi Goren to foster unity among soldiers from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds—Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, secular, and observant alike.
The siddur’s language is stirring and poetic. One passage reads: “Soldiers of Israel, get ready to witness Hashem’s salvation. Have faith in Hashem, your God, and believe.”
It’s not just a book of prayers—it’s a spiritual companion for those who carry both a rifle and a mission rooted in Jewish destiny.
Though it is now over 60 years old, and updated versions have emerged, the original Siddur Tefilot L’Hayyal remains in use, especially during ceremonies, memorials, and field deployments.
It’s also studied as a historical and religious artifact, reflecting the fusion of Jewish identity and military service in Israel’s formative years.
The IDF siddur remains a symbol of how faith, duty, and national identity can converge in a single, powerful voice.
It’s a reminder that even in the chaos of war, prayer can offer clarity, courage, and connection.
