The lack of a basic understanding of halacha and possibly a lack of concern as well, leads to increasingly complicated situations for chareidim who are serving in the military, but do not wish to compromise their halachic observance. This is true for hesder soldiers as well, who all too often find themselves between a rock and a hard place vis-à-vis halachic observance.

This week, the IDF is amending some regulations, many pertaining to women serving in the IDF R”L as well as religious soldiers and their needs. This process has been ongoing for close to five years and finally, the completed drafts are being presented to the appropriate officers for approval, ultimately to be signed by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott.

Much has been amended since women have been assigned to more and more tasks in the military, today included among combatants, causing increasing difficulties for religious soldiers. The pleas from hesder rabbonim and chareidim alike have gone all but ignored – all in the name of equality for women in the military, today a top priority.

The work includes addressing military ceremonies, women vocalists and acceptable dress. According to a daily Haaretz report, according to the new regulations that will be signed into effect this week, there is a differentiation between expectations from officers and simple enlisted personnel. This is to say that in a kol isha event, a soldier may receive permission from an officer to absent himself from a performance on religious grounds but an officer will not have the same freedom to practice his Yiddishkheit for if an officer walks out, others may be offended and he is expected to show his commitment by participating in such events.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)