An IDF soldier serving in the Kfir Brigade was sentenced to jail for 20 days after refusing to shave during Sefiras HaOmer. A brother of the soldier posted used Facebook to get the word out, questioning how “one who wishes to uphold the heritage and minhag is punished like this. The General Staff regulations state that only one maintains a religious lifestyle may have a beard. I want to know who determines what a religious lifestyle is. Since when has the IDF become the entity to make such a determination?”
The brother continues, explaining there is a large population in Israel that does not find an appropriate response by the IDF, those who maintain tradition but may not appear religious in the eyes of the IDF.
“We, the people of Israel, are divided into many shades, and that is what makes us unique. There is no black and white here, there is one who keeps only kashrus the second keeps Shabbos and the third does not at all adhere, and really each in his own way.
“Therefore, every person should be given the opportunity to preserve his way of life. I understand the claim that it will be widespread and everyone asks for an exemption from shaving to permit a beard. So if a decision cannot be reached, no one receives an exemption? That is not the solution”, insists the brother.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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6 Responses
Total stupidity. If the IDF wants to encourage Chareidi enlistment, as it should, such disrespect to someone who wishes to be observant, sends the wrong signal. Other than the abstract notion of “military discipline” which has no real functional purpose here, this decision should be overturned.
What a unique interpretation of shmiras mitzvos! This chochem is informing the IDF (and anyone else who cares to listen) that Yiddishkeit is a “pick and choose” religion. So, this chiloni goes to jail for not shaving during S’fira. I’m not sure how to process this information.
It is obvious from his brother’s letter that this man is not fully Shomer Torah u’Mitzvos. While I respect his wanting to keep even PART of our heritage, it is hard to blame the Army for wanting to maintain discipline. Perhaps if he didn’t “pick and choose” his Judaism, it would be more understandable to his officers.
The army claims the person in question is not religious and is using Sefirah as an excuse to grow a beard. Did we check out the all the facts?
Shaving during the omer is a minhag and one is supposed to shave if he will lose his job or parnasah. I shave for work during the omer. Better he observe Biblical obligations and mitzvos like Shabbos, kosher, Tzitzis, etc
He’s been released…for Yom Ha’atzma’ut, then goes back to prison….
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/244540