Israel’s chief rabbis, Rabbi Yona Metzger and Rabbi Shlomo Amar were guests of honor on Monday when a new Sefer Torah was dedicated on the IDF’s Tzeilim Training Base.

The rabbis met with senior officers attending the ceremony, including IDF Personnel Directorate, Major-General Elazar Stern, who told the rabbis bringing the Hesder Yeshiva soldiers into mixed units would represent the true meaning of bridging the gap between the religious and secular communities. Stern is leading a major campaign towards eliminating the Hesder yeshivas, and he took advantage of the opportunity to drive his point home to the chief rabbis.

Rabbi Amar spoke of the need to institute a special prayer for reservists, speaking with soldiers regarding the importance of serving in the reserves and how soldiers should avoid evading their duty.

Dozens of soldiers and officers took part in the Torah dedication.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)