It has been learned that a chareidi soldier who was absent without official leave (AWOL) did so to avoid having to shave his beard. According to a report filed by Channel 2 News correspondent Yair Shariki, talk of tolerance and accommodating frum soldiers is one thing, as one chareidi soldier has been in Prison 4 for the past three months simply because he refuses to shave his beard.

The soldier was inducted into the Air Force and was serving on the Tel Nof base. His administrative officer decided to cancel all permits for beards, instructing frum soldiers to shave. The soldier, who lost ties with his family after they objected to his enlisting, refused to comply with the order. As a result of his family cutting ties with him, he has been classified as a ‘Chayal Boded’ (Lone Soldier) and is entitled to additional assistance and privileges.

The soldier’s brother explains “My brother entered the IDF bearded and had authorization for a beard for religious reasons. He served on the base for quite some time with a beard. Lt.-Colonel Roi Ashuri decided to cancel the authorization for all beards for personnel on the base. The rabbi of the base interceded, asking for consideration for frum soldiers. He personally vouched for the soldier and his frum lifestyle. Ashuri however decided not to accept the base rav’s request.

After refusing to shave he was sentenced to a week on the base. He then faced charges of insubordination, leading to his fleeing the base, but eventually, turning himself back in to authorities. Once the matter changes to insubordination, the soldier does not have a leg to stand on and this is how the military plays the game. It is now no longer a beard issue but one of refusing to comply with a direct order.

For this young soldier, his problem is now his insubordination and it remains to be seen the decision to amend beard regulations in the military to permit beards for religious soldiers will assist him or not.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)