The IDF Rabbinate distributes over 10,000 sets of the Four Species to soldiers across the country.
By Hezy Laing
Sukkot in the IDF is a unique blend of tradition and resilience, where soldiers celebrate the holiday amid active duty and operational readiness.
Across bases and outposts, from the Negev to the northern borders, thousands of IDF personnel mark the seven-day festival with makeshift sukkahs, prayer services, and symbolic rituals—even in combat zones.
In 2023, over 1,200 sukkahs were constructed on IDF bases, including dozens in frontline units stationed near Gaza, Lebanon, and Judea and Samaria.
These temporary structures, often built from camouflage netting and wooden pallets, serve as spiritual sanctuaries in the heart of military life.
The IDF Rabbinate plays a central role in coordinating holiday observance, distributing over 10,000 sets of the Four Species—etrog, lulav, hadas, and aravah—to soldiers across the country.
Special teams of military rabbis travel to remote posts to lead services and ensure that even the most isolated units can participate.
In elite combat brigades such as Golani, Paratroopers, and Givati, soldiers take turns entering the sukkah between patrols and operational shifts.
In 2023, during the Swords of Iron war, soldiers in the Gaza Division celebrated Sukkot while actively engaged in counterterror operations, with commanders emphasizing the importance of spiritual morale alongside tactical readiness.
Despite the challenges of wartime, the IDF maintains kosher meals and holiday observance for religious and traditional soldiers.
In some cases, mobile sukkahs are mounted on jeeps and armored vehicles, allowing soldiers to fulfill the mitzvah even while on the move.
The holiday’s themes of vulnerability and divine protection resonate deeply with troops, many of whom see the sukkah as a symbol of unity and faith under fire.
The IDF is also distributing a new collapsible mini sukkah. This lightweight, portable structure is designed to enable soldiers to observe Sukkot even in combat zones.
Weighing just under 3 kilograms, it folds into a compact backpack and can be assembled in minutes without tools.
Made from durable, weather-resistant fabric and modular poles, it meets halachic standards for kosher sukkahs, including partial schach coverage.
In 2023, over 500 units were distributed to frontline troops in Gaza and the northern border, allowing them to fulfill the mitzvah of dwelling in a sukkah while on active duty.
It symbolizes faith, resilience, and spiritual continuity under fire.
Sukkot in the IDF is not just a religious observance—it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Israel’s defenders, who celebrate joy and tradition even in the shadow of conflict.
