Aluf

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Aluf (Hebrew: אלוף‎) is the term used for General and Admiral in the Israel Defense Forces. In addition to the Aluf rank itself, there are four other ranks which are derivatives of the word. Together, they constitute the five highest ranks in the IDF.

[edit] Rank order of Aluf and its derivatives

Rav Aluf (Hebrew: רב-אלוף‎) : Lieutenant General (Chief of the General Staff)

Aluf: Major General (arms, branches, and regional commands)

Tat Aluf (Hebrew: תת-אלוף‎) : Brigadier General (divisional and corps-level)

Aluf Mishne (Hebrew: אלוף-משנה‎) : Colonel (brigade-level)

Sgan Aluf (Hebrew: סגן-אלוף‎) : Lieutenant Colonel (battalion-level)

Rav Aluf is usually translated as "Lieutenant General," but is often considered to equate to a full General, since it is the most senior rank. There can only be one active Rav Aluf at a time and the rank is given only to the Ramatkal (Chief of the General Staff).

Israel is essentially a land power, with the navy being apportioned less than five percent of the military budget. Consequently, there are no separate naval ranks, and "Aluf" can be an Admiral as well as a General.

The term "Aluf" is taken from the Bible, where it was a rank of nobility among the Edomites, ancient Judea's neighbors (and often, enemies) to the south. It comes from an archaic root meaning "cattle", reflecting the values of a rural society where ownership of herds was the source of wealth and social position. In modern Hebrew as spoken in contemporary Israel it can mean "champion" as well as being a military rank.

It should be noted that the English word "general" was taken into colloquial Hebrew (גנרל) and is usually used in a derogatory sense - implying that the officer concerned is over-officious, incompetent, and/or involved in internecine power struggles with other officers, to the neglect of proper military duties.