(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)
Chareidi soldiers from the Israel Air Force’s ‘Palgat HaNegev’ unit light their menorahs on Chanukah in their base in the south of the country.
The official Chanukah party for these soldiers was held on Sunday night, the lighting of Zos Chanukah. The photos and video show some of the soldiers in the unit, officers from the base, and rabbonim from Nachal Chareidi; as this unit is also an affiliate of the umbrella organization known as Nachal Chareidi. Some of the officers of the air force base attended as well to get a first-hand taste of what Chanukah means for them.
The unit is relatively unknown, even in chareidi circles, as it accepts fewer than 20 recruits with each induction. The unit primarily serves to provide security for the Nevatim air force base as well as being in the field numerous times a year.
In the field, the soldiers take up position in the Southern Hebron Hills, Ramallah and other areas. They rotate as some are always securing the base while others are out in the field. They are trained and certified combat soldiers but serve in the air force. They live, daven, study and eat in a segregated area of the air force base surrounded by very high concrete walls to make sure tznius is maintained and air force personnel are aware no female may enter this compound, which has its own housing mess hall, shul/beis medrash for the soldiers.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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3 Responses
I feel bad for these guys who for what ever reason end up in the IDF. They are looked down upon by their neighbors and their families are embarrassed from them.
What little joy or happiness do they get out of life?
It is a shame to me the way the frum community in Israel is so callous towards these boys….
Luckshun kugel – I don’t feel bad for these boys at all – I feel proud of them. I can also assure you that most families of these boys feel no embarrassment, and feel that they are doing something worthwhile by protecting the Am Hashem Hayoshev b’Tzion, while not compromising their religious standards.
How do I know this? It’s easy. One of the soldiers in this group, who features in several of these pictures, is my son. I am proud that, after spending several years after finishing high school (a Yeshiva Tichonit) in a Yeshiva Gavoah, he decided that it was time to take responsibility for protecting his fellow Jews, and is now serving as part of this group.
an Israeli Yid (and proud father)
IsraeliYid,
👍 KolHakavod… Hakoras Hatov to you & son..