As Passover approaches amid ongoing war and missile alerts, the Israel Defense Forces are undertaking a massive effort dubbed 'Operation Roaring Matzah' to prepare bases and soldiers for the holiday while maintaining full operational readiness. From frontline tanks to remote outposts, soldiers are preparing to hold Seders under tight time constraints, sometimes in armored vehicles or field positions, determined to observe the holiday even in combat zones.

Military rabbis have been coordinating preparations for months, overseeing the sale and removal of leavened products, supervising the koshering of kitchens and equipment, and enforcing strict standards across hundreds of thousands of troops stationed nationwide. Entire bases are cleaned and converted for Passover use, with cooking halted days in advance and utensils either purified or replaced. Special accommodations are made to meet varying levels of religious observance, and no leavened food is permitted on bases in the days leading up to the holiday.

For soldiers on duty during Seder night, the military provides condensed prayer booklets and field kits containing all ritual items needed for a small group. Rabbis and even their families travel to bases to help create a festive atmosphere, mindful that many troops struggle with celebrating far from home and under threat. In some cases, multiple Seders are held to accommodate operational demands.

Despite the challenges, both soldiers and rabbis emphasize the deeper meaning of the holiday during wartime. Even if celebrations are interrupted by sirens or moved into shelters, they stress that the message of resilience and survival remains central. As one reservist preparing to spend the holiday in his tank reflected, serving and protecting the country during Passover is itself part of the story of freedom being retold.