32 students at the Har Etzion Hesder Yeshiva were drafted into the IDF's Engineering Corps this week, and all 32 were placed in the same division.
The new soldiers who werer drafted in July underscore the fact that the IDF is a people's army, and that young adults from all sectors of Israeli society join combat and other army units.
Their basic training will last 16 weeks and take place in the IDF's School of Combat Engineering in the Negev.
During the current enlistment period , 550 yeshiva students, hailing from 37 hesder yeshivas around the country, joined the army. Their motivation is high and all hope to have significant and challenging roles that contribute to the IDF and the State of Israel.
Har Etzion Yeshiva is located in Alon Shvut, Gush Etzion. The yeshiva concentrates on systematically learning the Talmud and is also known for its comprehensive study of Tanach.
Har Etzion Yeshiva is well-known for its high enlistment rates and its students' motivation to volunteer for combat roles in the IDF's field divisions.
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Credit: IDF spokesperson
Private Aryeh Berman, who entlisted this week into the IDF's Combat Engineering Corps, said, "It's good to be with my friends. It's fun, and it helps us keep to our prayer schedule and do things right religiously. I think it's amazing to be here. Having my friends beside me makes drafting into the army so much simpler."
In basic training, the soldiers accustom themselves to the army's infrastructure, build up the physical fitness necessary for battle, and learn army discipline, setting the stage for their future roles in the army.
After they complete basic training, the soldiers will move to the next stage - 16 weeks of advanced training. During this period, the soldiers will undergo intense training in combat engineering and infantry, as well as several classroom sessions on various types of weapons and their division's unique activities.
All of the yeshiva students were placed in a special division for Torah-observant soldiers. In this division, all the soldiers are yeshiva students, and the steps necessary to make them feel comfortable are taken. Their daily schedules include set times for prayers and other religious needs.
In March, statistics showed that 85% of hesder yeshiva students join combat units.