Soldiers and commanders from the 21st Battalion of the Carmeli Brigade conducted a ceremony on Mount Betarim, located on Mount Dov near the Lebanon border, on Friday, 23 October 2026. This gathering marked the revival of a tradition documented in historical sources dating back approximately 700 years. According to these records, Jews from the Galilee would ascend the mountain on the eve of Shabbat Lech Lecha. Participants integrated this ancient practice into their current operations at the northern frontier. The event aimed to reconnect local military units with customs associated with the region. By performing the ascent on the specific eve of Shabbat, the soldiers sought to honor the historical continuity of the site.
The event, involving IDF soldiers and commanders from the 21st Battalion of the Carmeli Brigade, took place on Mount Betarim, which is situated on Mount Dov near the Lebanese border, on Friday, October 23, 2026. The site was chosen specifically to align with the historical accounts of the region. By organizing this assembly, the unit sought to bridge the gap between their current operational duties and the documented history of the area. The soldiers were tasked with maintaining a presence at this strategic location while simultaneously observing the traditional customs associated with the calendar date.
Ceremony at Mount Betarim
Participants in the ceremony included a reading of verses from the Torah portion Lech Lecha, specifically focusing on the narrative of the Covenant Between the Pieces. The ceremony included reading verses from the Torah portion Lech Lecha regarding the Covenant Between the Pieces. A company commander recited the scriptural passage during the event: "On that day, the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying: ‘To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates.’" This reading served as a central component of the observance on Mount Betarim, connecting the soldiers' presence at the northern frontier to the ancient biblical text.
The ceremony revived a tradition documented in historical sources dating back approximately 700 years, where Jews from the Galilee would ascend the mountain on the eve of Shabbat Lech Lecha. The integration of this practice into the military routine provided a moment of reflection for those stationed at the border.
Battalion Rabbi Elyashiv Hacohen also performed a ritual by blowing the shofar during the proceedings. Battalion Rabbi Elyashiv Hacohen blew the shofar during the ceremony as a prayer for victory in the war. He stated that the act served as a prayer for victory in the war. The sounding of the instrument concluded the gathering, marking the integration of the traditional practice with the unit's current operational activities. The resonance of the shofar across the terrain of Mount Dov marked the official end of the commemorative event for the 21st Battalion of the Carmeli Brigade.
