It was recently reported that new regulations were being adapted by the IDF that involved permitting women to serve as equals in the military. The new regulations address a number of maters, one of which is kol isha.
Under new regulations, a soldier who finds kol isha an offense to his religious beliefs may receive permission to leave when a woman vocalist performs. Officers however will be compelled to remain.
Rabbi Shlomo HaKohen Aviner Shlita was asked to comment on the new regulations and simply stated, the matter is one of ייהרג ואל יעבור. Rav Aviner explains that back when Rav Kook felt the need to accept heter mechira, despite the strong opposition he felt he must because in his eyes, the matter was a dire one, one of pikuach nefesh. However, he points out rav Kook stated those who do not wish to accept are not compelled to do so.
He feels this situation is a similar one for those who feel that they are prohibited by halacha to listen to women must act appropriately. Others, perhaps those who have received a heter in one form or another, may opt to remain but the military does not have the right to compel those who feel they cannot listen to remain, quoting (אגרות הראיה, אגרת רלז. מוזכרת על ידי הרב צבי יהודה במאמרו האחרון בלנתיבות ישראל כרך א) in which he explains one cannot compel a Jew to commit an aveira even if others are lenient in the matter, even if essential to settling the land.
Rav Aviner explains he does not get involved regarding those soldiers who listen to women performers or shave their beards when told to do so but the others, those who feel they may not, must remain steadfast in light of ongoing irreligious coercion.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
How on earth could listening to a female singer be “essential to settling the land??”
“…he explains one cannot compel a Jew to commit an aveira even if others are lenient in the matter, even if essential to settling the land.”
The last part of that sentence is sad. The perceived importance, or lack thereof, in “settling the land” obviously has nothing to do with (not) allowing Jews to commit aveiros, at least according to the Torah.
But “Religious Zionism” is, of course, a different religion, so he had to point out that, even in that faith, one does not compel a Jew to sin “even if essential to settling the land”.
All religious yiddin must leave that army at once, that is the only way they will understand not to trample on everything that is sacret to The yiddin!!!
Where is the achdus?
If there was unity between the religious the army would look different