The new Sephardi Chief Rabbi HaGaon HaRav Dovid Yosef paskened that IDF soldiers in active combat in southern Lebanon are forbidden from fasting on Yom Kippur. In response to a shaila about the matter, HaRav Yosef wrote: “The matter is clear that soldiers who are in active combat are forbidden from fasting on Yom Kippur and they should not be machmir on themselves.” HaRav Yosef added that the soldiers should not eat in shiurin (שיעורין). “They do not need and should not eat in shiurin but should eat normally,” he wrote. HaRav Yosef added: “Regarding soldiers involved in the war but not in active combat and there are concerns that the fast will influence their concentration and decision-making, they should approach their military Rav before Yom Kippur in order to to receive instructions if and how they should fast.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)