While the IDF promises changes will be made in the regulation prohibiting beards regarding religious personnel, three religious soldiers who serve as technicians in an air force base in Haifa have been having a difficult time for their refusal to shave.

They went through the process to obtain permission to remain bearded and in the interim, were given permission by the base commander. However, their request was denied and they were instructed to shave. After refusing, they were grounded to the base on Shabbos. The parents of one of the soldiers who is a graduate of the yeshiva in Chispin, were shocked to hear their son would not be coming home for Shabbos. They turned to the Tzav Echad organization for assistance.

It has been learned since that during basic training the soldier received authorization from his company commander to have a beard. This authorization however was rejected on his air force base despite realizing he is religious and entitled to have a beard.

A second soldier brought a letter from HaRav HaTzaddik Yitzchok Dovid Grossman Shlita attesting to the fact he is shomer Shabbos and mitzvos and has a beard for this reason. However, the letter was not sufficient for military officials.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)