Chareidi enlistment requires courage from the Chareidi community — and trustworthiness from the IDF

Two recent stories present both the promise and the danger surrounding efforts to increase Chareidi military service.

The first is genuinely encouraging. Chareidi recruits arriving at the Tel Hashomer induction center spoke openly about their desire to serve while remaining committed to their religious identity.

One young man said that he had waited and worked hard for the opportunity to enlist. Another explained that he would keep his black kippah and peyos because that is who he is. A father spoke emotionally about bringing his firstborn son to serve in a combat role in the Chashmonaim Brigade. Another family member expressed the principle that many of us have long advocated: those genuinely engaged in full-time Torah learning should be protected, while those who are not learning full-time should serve.

These recruits are not leaving the Torah world. They want to serve as members of it—and to return from their service knowing that they still have an honored place within it

These recruits are not leaving the Torah world. They want to serve as members of it—and to return from their service knowing that they still have an honored place within it.

Moti Leitner, chairman of HaTzibbur HaCharedi, was at Tel Hashomer that morning to accompany and encourage the recruits entering combat tracks. His presence conveyed something these young men have rarely heard from Chareidi political representatives: that they deserve pride rather than embarrassment.

“The days when the political leadership was ashamed of you are over,” Leitner told them. “We are proud of you, and we deeply appreciate you.”

That message matters almost as much as the creation of suitable military frameworks. Chareidi recruits need more than assurances that they can remain religious while serving. They need to know what will happen when they come home. Will they be treated as young men who abandoned the community, or as Chareidim who accepted a difficult responsibility on behalf of Klal Yisrael?

Leitner was assuring them that many Chareidim are proud of them and intend to welcome them back with honor. Their service should not cost them their standing in the Chareidi world. On the contrary, serving while preserving their identity should earn the gratitude and respect of the community they never wished to leave.

We will not be ashamed of you. When your service ends, you will still have a home among us

At almost the same time, however, a very different story emerged from Givati’s Rotem Battalion. Sixteen religious soldiers were reportedly punished after refusing to........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)