(VIDEO IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)
Chareidi soldiers who are serving in the 202nd Battalion are proud of their unit, the Arrow (Chetz) Company in the Paratroop Brigade. There are 77 members of the company, all viewed as “chareidim” by the IDF.
While many are not forgiven by their families and communities for entering the military, with some even ousted by their families, others are proud and some even dare to walk down the streets of Bnei Brak, in uniform.
Unfortunately, there are some, including those interviewed in the KAN News report, who have been placed in cherem and not in touch with parents for a year or longer.
A commander, Major Shai Juni, explains that 25-30 of his soldiers are designated as ‘lone soldiers’, Israelis, not foreigners, but they have been thrown out by their families. The major explains his parents have taken in one such soldier, and now accommodate his needs, including glatt meat.
Another explains how he wanted some kugel, and they entered Meah Shearim at about 9:00PM and were seated in a restaurant and enjoying their food. They soon heard shouts, stating there were about 300 people outside shouting against them. The police came and extricated them without incident.
Soldier Yigal Malka of Tzefas explains “One learning Torah should continue doing so 100% for he and the others are protecting Am Yisrael. However, others, those who do not, should consider entering the army. I am not chiloni (secular)” he explains, emphasizing how he maintains his frum lifestyle while serving. An officer of the rank of captain explains how and what is done to make sure they maintain their level of religious of observance.
These soldiers serve in Yehuda and Shomron and will soon be moved to the Gaza border and the battalion commander, Lt.-Colonel Ron Friedman, is responsible for the logistics, to maintain the separation between the frum soldiers and female personnel, even when serving along the Gaza border. Friedman explains “this is done if and where possible and if cases where it is not possible, I can send them with the limitations, such as minimal contact with female personnel”. When asked “Is the Chetz unit experiment a success or a pain in the neck?” Friedman says without hesitation “An absolute success, and these soldiers are the best”.
According to the report, today, there are 7,600 chareidi soldiers serving in the IDF.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
This is just an IDF ad for recruitment!
propaganda
Is the underlying purpose of this article to induce more Chareidi guys to join the IDF? The Chareidi tzibbur, guided by the gedolei hador, follows the rabbonim’s da’as Torah. The residents of Bnei Brak, along with any other frum area, have the right to try to keep out what they feel is an unwanted influence on their children. This is not to condone violence against them if they do come. And frum families who feel that a son serving in the army will have a negative effect on say, the shidduch prospects of their other children, are entitled to feel that way. It is not for the editors of YWN, sitting in the U.S., to re-educate or to re-make the Chareidi tzibbur.
And for the record, I know someone whose son asked him to declare to the army that he has “thrown him out of the house” — so he is entitled to the extra pay for “lone soldiers.”
Yashir koach to these soldiers. I hope their families may be reconciled to them soon. And to the American olim who feel so strongly – unless you’re learning Torah full-time and with lev shalem, go do your own army service, join the reserves and stop pouring scorn on those who protect you at the risk of their own lives.
Midwest: for the umpteenth time, 80% of the soldiers are “jobniks” and are not exactly “risking their lives.” As to who should join the army — hate to break it to you, but the tzibbur follows the da’as Torah of the gedolei Torah, and not what you or I think. You ought to arrange a meeting with the rabbonim and try to change their minds. If you succeed, the Chareidi tzibbur will change theirs too.