Haredi Soldiers

With a gun and Torah

Photo of haredi soldier moves Israel

Photojournalist Chaim Goldberg snapped a picture of military rabbi Captain (Res.) Yehuda Weitzman en route to his base, armed with an assault rifle and a Torah scroll.

IDF reports shortage of 12,000 troops

The Manpower Directorate presented a plan to fill ranks across seven combat arenas, including the establishment of a new haredi brigade.

IDF establishes drone factory to be operated by haredim

The IDF has decided to establish a military production plant for suicide drones that will rely on about 200 haredi soldiers who will undergo technological training.

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Lag Ba'Omer celebrations at Hashmonaim Brigade

The new recruits to the haredi brigade held a special bonfire lighting together at their base to mark the passing of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.

'Pioneers Writing History':

Manpower Directorate chief meets with haredi recruits

Major General Dado Bar-Kalifa visited the recruitment office at Tel Hashomer and met dozens of young haredim who enlisted for combat service to commend them on enlisting despite the challenges.

Haredi brigade clarifies: There will be a Memorial Day ceremony

Hasmonean Brigade stresses that even its troops operating in Lebanon will mark Memorial Day with a special ceremony on the front line.

Battalion Commander:

'We don't buy calm in Judea and Samaria, we make it nightly'

Lt. Col. Yossi Levi, commander of Battalion 21, tells Arutz Sheva about his unit's rapid shift from Gaza to Judea and Samaria.

The haredi soldiers behind the strikes in Iran

While fighter jets operate in Iran, the haredi technicians in the Air Force work around the clock to refuel, arm and return the aircraft for the next mission.

Watch: Haredi battalion completes beret march with shofar-blowing

50 kilometers of faith and remembrance: Netzach Yehuda soldiers complete final beret march in memory of comrades who fell in the war in Gaza.

Kosher food and no women

The IDF's new guidelines for integrating haredim

IDF Chief of Staff approves orders intended to ensure that every haredi soldier maintains the same way of life he did at home before enlisting.

Breakthrough:

Yeshiva students to be trained as welfare officers

The first group of yeshiva students today enrolled in a course for IDF welfare officers being held with strict gender separation and other changes to make it suitable for a haredi lifestyle.

Record enlistment to haredi IDF tracks

The IDF informed the Knesset that a record number of haredi soldiers have enlisted, with hundreds already serving in combat and support roles, as debate continues over the Defense Service Bill.

IDF haredi brigade bulletin sparks backlash in haredi communities

A new bulletin published by IDF’s haredi Hashmonaim Brigade triggers fierce opposition from anti-draft activists, who are urging synagogues to remove 'dangerous materials' aimed at encouraging enlistment.

Haredi soldier injured in Gaza enlists as career officer

Haredi soldier Haim Treitel, who was injured by sniper fire in Gaza and now helps integrate other haredi soldiers into the IDF, signs on for career service. 'It's never enough to contribute to the State and the nation.'

In first: Haredi Hashmonaim Brigade operates in Syria

Hashmonaim Brigade completes operational activity and training exercises in Syria, gathering intelligence and working to ensure safety of northern Israel's residents.

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IDF Chief of Staff dances with haredi soldiers

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir lit Hanukkah candles with soldiers from the Hashmonaim Brigade, praised their work, and announced the opening of a dedicated officers' training course for haredi troops.

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Hashmonaim Brigade's first squad commanders graduate course

Hashmonaim Brigade's first group of squad commanders graduates course with 70 haredi future commanders to lead the brigade's next generations.

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Religious Zionist MK offers encouragement to haredi soldiers

Dozens protest outside Jerusalem Draft Office, MK Tzvi Succot distributes chocolates to haredi recruits, offering encouragement.

Haredi joins IDF:

'I fulfilled my dream; I enlisted in the IDF'

Shimon Refaeli, a haredi who served as Minister Ron Dermer's political assistant, tells of his decision to enlist in the IDF.

Watch: Netzach Yehuda soldiers complete march for their berets

Soldiers from the Netzach Yehuda Battalion complete their beret march, dedicating it to comrades who fell in the recent war.

IDF considering closing haredi company

IDF considering closure of haredi 'Tomer' company in Givati Brigade, amid low enlistment.

For the first time:

Regular haredi brigade soldiers enter Gaza

The IDF’s haredi Hashmonaim Brigade entered Gaza as a full battalion for the first time, marking a historic step with a Torah dedication and training haredi squad commanders.

Women military choir performs at soldiers' Selichot

At the Sultan's Pool in Jerusalem, soldiers were invited to a Selichot show with well-known artists, but were surprised to find a women's military choir also on stage.

Netanyahu at Western Wall tunnels:

Combination of Torah and military is source of our strength

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells Netzach Yehuda soldiers, hesder soldiers, that Israel enables the continuation of Jewish traditions alongside the protection of the country.

'I came out strengthened'

The haredi soldier vs. the extremists at the Western Wall

Mendel Roth, a haredi soldier in the Hashmonaim Brigade, arrived at the Western Wall to recite Selichot prayers, where a group of Hasidic boys gathered around him, curious about his military service. Some extremists attempted to distance them and even claimed there is a "halachic ruling to throw him out of the place."

Ramot Junction terror attack:

Haredi yeshiva student and haredi soldier neutralize terrorists

Haredi yeshiva student who received a license for a personal weapon approximately one year ago, commander in the Hahashmonaim Brigade, shot and eliminated terrorists responsible for Ramot Junction shooting attack.

As extremists protest

MK Succot distributes chocolate to haredi enlistees

MK Zvi Succot visited the Tel Hashomer Induction Center to support haredi men enlisting in IDF combat units, handing out chocolate as protesters from the Jerusalem Faction jeered.

'All who are for G-d - follow me!'

Haredi soldiers end march for beret at Western Wall

Soldiers from first regular-service haredi company, 'Hashmonaim,' end march for beret at Western Wall.

Haredi reservists complain:

We were rejected from course for IDF Rabbinate

Several haredi IDF soldiers, including Chabad hasidim, say they were denied entry to the Military Rabbinate Course due to bias; IDF denies allegations.

In Depth:

Black hats, black ops

Israel is currently seeing unprecedented steps on both sides of the issue of forcing haredim into service - but haredim are not so estranged from Israel's security as one might believe.

Haredi soldiers are dying for Israel-stop the smear campaign

We must stop vilifying a community that represents the soul of our people for political purposes. And yes, we must see to it that those who are not seriously learning gradually join the IDF.

Zamir to haredi troops:

You prove that anyone who enlists haredi will remain haredi

IDF Chief hails haredi soldiers of Hashmonaim Brigade as pioneers, emphasizing their vital role in national defense and integration of Torah values with military service.

Moving moment

Father of fallen soldier presents berets to haredi soldiers

Haredi soldiers from the Tomer Company and Netzach Yehuda Battalion completed their training, surrounded by family and rabbis.

When everyone is not everyone

Where are the hundreds of thousands of Arab men – citizens of Israel – who could serve in the IDF and why is nobody mentioning this? Opinion.

Haredi battalion eliminates sniper who tried to kill them twice

Yanki Hareshkovitz, a soldier in the haredi Netzach Yehuda battalion, discovered that the terrorist eliminated by the battalion was the same sniper who tried to shoot him twice.

Infuriating image:

Effigy of haredi soldier hanged in Mea She'arim

A large dummy dressed as a haredi IDF soldier was hanged over the street in the Mea She'arim neighborhood in Jerusalem.

New haredi brigade concludes first training cycle

The Hashmonaim Brigade is intended as a destination for 'God-fearing haredim' and includes a number of special regulations intended to preserve a haredi lifestyle while in uniform.

Jerusalem:

Haredi extremists block road to protest honoring haredi soldiers

Demonstrators throw stones and use pepper spray against police during protest against an event honoring haredi IDF soldiers at the venue.

'I'm a soldier in the Jewish army'

Hasidic Rebbe's son shares exitement at joining IDF

Mendel Roth, Hasidic singer and son of the Shmore Emunim Rebbe, shares his reaction to his first hours in the new haredi "Hashmonaim" Brigade.

84 haredi soldiers complete combat training

The soldiers were recruited under the Home Front Command and will be stationed in towns in Judea and Samaria to reinforce the towns' security forces.

Will the IDF close its haredi administrative division?

IDF examining option of dismantling haredi military 'administration,' due to sharp criticism of its functioning and performance in recent years, report says.

Son of hasidic rebbe to enlist in haredi brigade

Haredi musician Mendel Rata shared why he decided to enlist in the Haredi brigade in the IDF. 'If I care about the truth, I must get up and take action.'

Shneur Zalman Cohen from Yitzhar fell in battle in Gaza

Samaria Regional Council announces fall of IDF soldier Shneur Zalman Cohen, resident of Yitzhar; he is the Council's 25th fallen soldier.

Injured in Gaza by sniper fire:

Haredi soldier Haim Treitel in stable condition after Gaza injury

Family of Haim Treitel, a haredi soldier injured by sniper fire in Gaza, asks the public to pray for his recovery. 'A sniper fired at him and missed.'

101 haredim complete emergency squad training

The course certifies graduates at the level necessary to allow them to join the civilian emergency squads stationed in towns throughout Judea and Samaria.

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Haredim drafted into IAF affirm allegiance to the army

'I affirm': Soldiers from the haredi Hanegev Squadron in the IAF and Bislach 314 affirm allegiance to the IDF at the Nevatim Airbase.

Haredi soldiers ate at kosher McDonald's and caused an uproar

Haredi soldiers ate at a kosher McDonald's and posted their photo online, which sparked calls for an Arab boycott of the popular food chain.

Towards a more Jewish IDF

The religious Zionist soldiers made their mark in this war. No more issues with commanders davening and reciting Psalms with troops. Now we need the haredi young men's numbers to make that atmosphere more pervasive. Op-ed

IDF confirms:

Haredi brigade to be established

The new brigade will not include any women, will have a special admissions committee to ensure that the recruits are haredi, and all commanders will be religious.

Chief of Staff to haredi troops:

'You are pioneers - haredi warriors'

IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi spoke with the soldiers of the Netzah Yehuda Battalion and praised them for their work.

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Haredi soldiers mark Holocaust Remembrance Day

Haredi soldiers mark the day with the Israeli national anthem and Ani Maamin - a song of faith sung by many as they went to the gas chambers.

Haredi Draft:

Granddaughters of haredi MKs enlist in the IDF

Two granddaughters of two MKs from the party most strongly against the drafting of haredim are serving at a military base in the center of the country, where they are working on intelligence projects.

Jerusalem Faction leader: 'Rather die than enlist'

Leader of the haredi extremist faction said that he would rather that an Arab murder his family over the possibility that they would become secular, ‘secularism is beyond death.’

On their way to Gaza

Watch: Haredi soldiers sing at site of massacre

Soldiers from the Netzah Yehuda Battalion who were en route to join their battalion in Gaza stopped at the scenes of the October 7th massacre to sing and pray.

Haredi IDF Shlav Bet program

Many jeered; now they understand the importance

A survey conducted by the Netzah Yehuda haredi IDF unit among graduates of the Shlav Bet program found that 75% served over a hundred days of reserve duty.

IDF weighing yeshiva for haredi soldiers near border

New initiative aims to allow haredi soldiers to maintain religious lifestyle, regular Torah study, while protecting Israel's borders.

The importance of Nahal Haredi - now, more than ever

The Jewish nation is in physical and existential danger. We need the haredi soldiers now more than ever, to lead the charge against those who mean to kill and destroy us, and to uproot us from the land of our heritage and destiny.

Satmar Rebbe:

'Not one soldier should be without food for Shabbat'

IDF soldiers left without supplies for Shabbat were surprised to receive a lavish donation from members of the anti-Zionist sect.

Haredi soldiers begin first ground offensive in Gaza

Some of the soldiers have been in combat deployments for 90 consecutive days, both around Gaza and in Judea and Samaria.

Haredi soldier attacked in Bnei Brak

Soldier serving in unit that identifies corpses cursed and has trash thrown at him in Bnei Brak.