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CCAR RESPONSA

New American Reform Responsa

87. Jewish Soldiers in a Fundamentalist Islamic Land

QUESTION: A young Jewish Marine has been assigned to an embassy in an Islamic land. His dog tag indicates that he is Jewish and he realizes in case of medical problems that his Jewish identity may cause him problems. Should he remove that identifying letter? Daniel Roth, Washington DC)ANSWER: Desperate persecution has sometimes forced us to assume other religious identity although most of the traditional authorities sought to prohibit this and no Jew is to abandon his religion and take on another even outwardly (Sefer Hamitzvot Taaseh #9; Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 157.1 ff.; E. Oshry Memamakim #13). However, a Jew could be ambiguous in his answer to the authorities (Isserles to Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 157.2) or might also dress himself in Christian garments. The problems raised by disguising one’s Jewish identity were divided by Oshry into matters which indicated a permanent separation from Judaism which he prohibited and temporary measures which were permissible. One could obtain a Christian passport (See also R. Kirschner Anthology of Holocaust Responsa pp 97 ff; and H. J. Zimmels The Echo of the Nazi Holocaust in Rabbinic Literature pp 77 ff). Every effort was made to escape danger to life, but also to avoid apostasy. Tradition always insisted that death was preferable to the sin of idolatry, incest or murder. For these three prohibitions a person must surrender one’s life (San 60b ff; A Z 43b, 54a; Ket 33b; Shab 149a; Shulhan Arukh Yoreh Deah 157.1). In this instance eliminating the designation for a Jew on the dog tag would represent a temporary disguise, but we must ask whether it is really necessary. After all, any individual connected with an American embassy possesses special status protected by international law and the likelihood of an accident or some other mishap which would place him into a foreign hospital is slim. We would, therefore, strongly discourage the marine from taking this step and encourage him to serve there as a proud American Jew. His stand would be another clear indication that the United States intends to protect all its citizens irrespective of their religion.May 1987

If needed, please consult Abbreviations used in CCAR Responsa.