brought up as traditional religious. In our family, the IDF is respected. All grandchildren, including my two granddaughters, are expected to serve and to serve proudly just as they are taught to be proud Jews. When I read about the women who join the IDF, who are already serving, i.e., the Desert Queens, (Ynet article), some of whom serve in combat roles, I am grateful for the wonderful models these women make for my granddaughters.

the issue of men wearing womens clothing and women wearing mens clothing exists only when the garment is specifically only for one gender. because that is the case, the pants are not a problem in this context. as to the other issues people want to say are 'halachik' issues, they arent halachikally problematic at all. There is actually not a single halachik problem with women in the army . The only valid issues are the concerns regaurding the apropriate enviroment for a religious girl. The concerns are real and very valid but thats all they are. Those same concerns exist in any enviroment that is considered to be a 'manly' one. Any girl who feels she can go to the army and come out unscathed should seriously consider doing so.

Andrew ! The command you refer to,is strange,because in ancient times (and muslims today ) men and women wore the sme dress called simla,maybe the simla had different designs,for men and women,like pants today, but the name was the same,simla.

Rabbi Ovadya Yosef ruled,women are permitted to wear pants if they are not tight,but this may present a problem to a female sodier,running,climbing,in clumsy pants.