"Let’s start with this," Getz explains. "Every battalion in the army is supposed to have a rabbi. It’s one of the essential roles, like the welfare officer, personnel officer, or commander. The job involves several key responsibilities — identifying fallen soldiers and overseeing their burial, ensuring the dining hall meets kosher standards and more. While those are the formal duties, I’ve found that the soldiers themselves are genuinely interested in the role of the battalion rabbi."
Surprisingly, Getz says, the Druze soldiers are particularly curious and engaged. "We have deep conversations about our shared histories and the Druze community’s background," he says. "After one mission, a soldier told me, 'Rabbi, I’m really upset you didn’t give us more motivational talks. We want to hear more from you about how important our work is. We want more of that.’"
According to Getz, the Jewish people and the Druze community share a unique bond that should be nurtured. "They feel a connection to the Jewish people, partly because of Jethro — their prophet — who joined the people of Israel and helped them during their journey in the desert. They also relate to us because both communities have faced persecution and hardships throughout history. We discuss these topics often, both in group settings and one-on-one conversations," he says.
Getz’s personal background is far removed from the Druze community. He lives in Esh Kodesh, a settlement in the Shiloh Valley, and is a father of 10. His youngest daughter was born during his operational deployment in Lebanon. At 38 years old, he is a graduate of the Hesder Yeshiva in Ramat Gan, Yeshivat Elon Moreh, and Yeshivat Beit El in Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter, which specializes in Kabbalistic studies. "This is my first position as a military rabbi," he says. "Before that, I was a combat soldier in the Kfir Brigade. Today, I’m also a mohel and a Torah scholar."
Rabbi Getz is the grandson of Rabbi Meir Yehuda Getz, the former rabbi of the Western Wall and a prominent figure in Israel’s religious community known for his unique approach.
Now, in his new role, Rabbi Adiel Getz sees his work as a mission and often finds himself in unexpected situations. "On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, I was with the battalion. In the middle of the night, several soldiers asked me to blow the shofar for them," he recalls. "Afterward, they wanted to know more — about the custom, its meaning — and we ended up having a profound conversation late into the night about faith, history and religious traditions."
Such encounters are not rare. "We also have discussions about food — why Jews don’t eat meals prepared by non-Jews and how to navigate potentially uncomfortable situations," he says. "I walk through the barracks with laffas donated to us, handing them out to everyone. Each time, these moments spark new conversations. It’s fascinating, and it’s incredibly important work."
