About 450 yeshiva students entered the Hesder track of the Israel Defense Forces this week as part of the "August 2010" induction, which continues next week. Hesder combines military service with yeshiva religious studies.

Rabbi Chaim Druckman, head of the Or-Etzion Hesder yeshiva, accompanied some of the new soldiers to the induction base. He told them, "It is important that you continue to be yeshiva students during your military service as well, be it in your behavior or your fighting. May all those around you be blessed through you. Go in peace and come back in peace."