With the first National Armed Forces Day falling on a Saturday (The Jewish Sabbath), participation by the Armed Forces Jewish Community and veterans is restricted for the more observant members.

Accordingly, Sir Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the UK, has declared the day 'Armed Forces Shabbat’ (Sabbath) and has composed a prayer to the British Armed Forces, in Hebrew and English, which will be read out in synagogues throughout the UK on that day.

The number of Jewish personnel serving in the Armed Forces is estimated to be in the low hundreds. The Jewish Committee for HM Forces, the endorsing authority and advisory body to the MOD, has encouraged all Jewish service personnel to attend their local synagogues in uniform and veterans to wear their medals on Armed Forces Day.

Prayer for the safety of the British Armed Force

God on high who dwells in might, the King to whom peace belongs, look down from Your holy habitation and bless the Servicemen and Women of the British Armed Forces who risk their lives for the sake of peace on Earth. Be their shelter and stronghold, and let them not falter. Give them the strength and courage to thwart the plans of the enemy and end the rule of evil. May their enemies be scattered and their foes flee before them, and may they rejoice in Your salvation. Bring them back safely to their homes, as it is written: “The LORD will guard you from all harm, He will guard your life. The LORD will guard your going and coming, now and for evermore.” And may there be fulfilled for us the verse: “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more.” Let all the inhabitants on Earth know that sovereignty is Yours and Your name inspires awe over all You have created – and let us say, Amen.