TZAHAL has a standing army of more than 200,000 troops, along with nearly 550,000 reservists, who can be mobilized within 24 hours in a national emergency.

Many IDF combat units hold their swearing- in ceremonies at the Kotel (Western Wall) or at Masada, the historic fortress near the Dead Sea where nearly a thousand Jewish zealots took their own lives rather than surrender to the Roman army in 73 AD.

With their weapons in one hand and a Bible in the other, these young soldiers swear allegiance to the Jewish state, even if it means laying down their lives. In the background, the military band plays, “Lo b’chayil ve-lo be ko’ach, ki im b’ruchi” (“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit”—from Zechariah 4:6).

Young men serve 36 months and women 24 months in the military, though the IDF plans to reduce this time period slightly. After completing their three-year service, men do nearly a month of reserve duty annually until they are 40. Women are not required to do reserve duty.

While the majority of Orthodox male Yeshiva students are exempt from compulsory military service, some religious Jews opt for national (civil) service instead.

The chief of general staff (Hebrew, ramat-kal) is the highest military authority in Israel. (Lieutenant-General Dan Halutz is the incumbent). In 2006, 18 percent of the state budget (50 billion shekels or $11 billion) will be allocated to the IDF.

Marathon March: Long treks are a key part of military training