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IDF doesn't want a haredi brigade
Yossi Yehoshua
Published: 02.07.12, 09:43
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22 Talkbacks for this article
1. I don't really see a problem
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (07.02.12)
Not everyone gets to serve in a combat unit; the haredi can volunteer for one or not, according to their personal preference. They can serve in medical units, they can serve in Nahal units. They can serve in teaching units -- all those years spent studying the Torah has taught them how to read Hebrew, and likely how to teach Hebrew, and certainly how to teach Torah to those who wish to learn. There are ways around most problems. You just have to be willing to work to find them.
2. There already is a haredi brigade
Raptor   (07.02.12)
This brigade is in combat mode in Bet Shemesh and Jerusalem and on active duty 24/7.
3. The entire army needs to meet G-d's STANDARDS...
Shalom ,   Israel   (07.02.12)
Don't you understand that this is the ONLY way Israel can survive?!!!
4. Charadi people in IDF would be the "Peoples Army" and
Bunnie Meyer ,   Los Angeles, CA USA   (07.02.12)
if they have the discipline of studying Torah for so long, they have all the discipline the IDF needs, UNTIL some moron decides they should listen to women sing just to prove he can shove them around.
5. What makes the seculars think they are
Chaim   (07.02.12)
more owners of the land of Israel than haredim? Who are the seculars to tell haredi Jews - who have been living in Israel for hundreds of years before the secular Zionists came - what to do? Because the seculars were the ones to grab the land back from the Arabs, doesn't give them ownership and the power to rule over haredim. If not for haredi Jews throughout the centuries, secular Zionists would never have gotten this land in the first place. It's only thanks to the general haredi population for being the only ones to adhere to the Torah that Judaism carried on and they got the land. Isn't it bad enough that the seculars have desecrated the holiness of the land with their immorality and iniquities against G-d and His Torah, do they want to completely eradicate Judaism and secularize all haredim? So now, bug off and stop trying to secularize haredim. Haredim will never join the secular army and the self-appointed government will not lock up tens of thousands of haredim.
6. The IDF doesn't want a haredi brigade - is their goal!
Chaim   (07.02.12)
They want to secularize orthodox Jews, eradicate Judaism and abolish the Torah once and for all and make the Jewish country look like other western countries.
7. seems to me....
Galut ia ,   Selah   (07.02.12)
that they enjoy the rights and privileges of a people brought back from among the nations so service to that nation God is reforming should be done joyfully and willingly ...
8. IDF Haradi Brigade
Neal Rothner ,   Hashnonaim   (07.02.12)
There already exists NACHAL HARADI!!?? Neal the Hasmonean
10. # 4 Hi Bunny baby
Moron   (07.02.12)
This moron likes to hear women sing. This moron also knows how to use a rifle. This moron has fought 4 wars and done his duty in more ways than that. This moron knows how to operate a tank and other combat vehicles. This moron has dug ditches and bunkers on the Suez canal and lived and slept in them for weeks on end.This moron,along with lots of others, has put his life on the line many a time in order to save the skin of your bearded friends. Under these circumstances I am proud to be called a moron. Have a nice day
11. To nu.10
Daniel   (07.02.12)
Well said!!
12. #3 The only way Israel can survive is through Torah
Chaim   (07.02.12)
If all Jews were to keep the Torah the way G-d commanded, G-d Himself would do the job of fighting against their enemies. It's because they were true Torah Jews they were able to conquer the land from the Knanim, Hittim, Emorim, Prizim, Yevusim and Girgashim. Israel has survived with open miracles the last 65 years because of the prayers of and constant Torah learning from orthodox Jews and it will continue surviving.
13. Religious and Secular
making a suggestion   (07.02.12)
In the Allied Forces in WW2, there were eg, Irish regiments, Scottish regiments, Gurka regiments, etc. Could they be the equivalent of Haredi regiments? Probably, if each regiment/unit has its own particular identity, it would benefit soldiers' morale in the IDF. Would not a Haredi soldier in a secular regiment feel like a fish out of water?
14. They can make it work!
Moshe ,   Jerusalem   (07.02.12)
If its works for the Hesdar program then they can make it work for a Haradi one too. I think its about time that these young men fight for their country not just in the Yeshivot but out in the fields. If my son has to do his part so do they. Remember if a young Haradi man goes in the army at the age of 18 till 22 there will still be plenty of young Haradim left in the Yeshivot, there seats will not be left empty. I suggest that those who are now over the age of 22 should not be inlisted but only those who now turn 18.
15. @10 other mororns have done much the same as you ..
rebecca ,   Modiin   (07.02.12)
with no women singing to them to make them do it.
16. People's army... then every unit should be the same
rebecca ,   Modiin   (07.02.12)
There should be no special or elite units, no units that dont do cravi, and no units that just cook. Navy units should be able to drive tanks and the Bedouin tracker units should be fixing cars. What rubbish these IDF anti Haredi say.
17. When they serve
Ethan Schwartz ,   Eilat   (07.02.12)
They must be fully integrated, this is one of the jobs of the army. All Israelis must learn to respect one another and to live together. The last thing we need is separate militias ala Lebanon.
18. #12 Chaim
Andy ,   Israel   (07.02.12)
The state Israel exists and continues to exist thanks to a core of secular and religious, from all walks of life, rich and poor who willingly (and I'm willing to admit, unwillingly) put their lives on the line for state of Israel. Ive served my required years and my reserve service, and like #10 I've fought in wars in defence of the state. Did I enjoy digging ditches? Sitting in a sweltering tank for hours on end? Seeing my friends get killed and maimed? No, but you asked me to do it all again? Absolutely if it keeps my wife, kids, family and friends safe. You keep your faith in Torah, I'll put my faith in the man or woman, jew, christian or muslim next to me and make sure you sit in safety in your Yeshiva out of harms way. As frankly I wouldn't trust half of the haredim or in fairness the draft dodging seculars for that matter with a potato gun let alone a rifle. As for prayers for our survival I take the view that we were given brains to help us survive and it's been our skill, courage, ingenuity and determination that have kept us going. To do some shallow paraphrasing of the movie Zulu, if it's a miracle it's a 7.62mm and 5.56mm miracle
19. #13 is quite correct
R Narz ,   Toronto   (07.02.12)
Even today the British Army is very much based on regional allegiances. And looking around at the various NATO forces, the British manage to produce more cohesive units than most others. My vote would be yes, let's allow the Haredi their own separate units.
20. prayer saves Jews?
pini ,   Israel   (07.02.12)
One word. Holocaust. The religious on here are morons
21. "female free"?? Is Israel turning into Iran?
(07.02.12)
Seems in Israel misogyny and religious coercion are becoming widely accepted?? You sure you all want it this way? Than dont ask us in diaspora for help, when you need a place to stay, fleeing from "Isran" in the future...
22. Reply to number 21
Joe ,   Baltimore, USA   (07.04.12)
In the years since the USA has integrated female military recruits with male officers, there have been many, many complaints of sexual harrassment. Female officers may well be sexually harrassing male recruits who are not willing to complain. It's not a religious issue, just common sense.
23. More harm than good?
Sherlock Holmes ,   London England   (07.04.12)
What is never answered is, 'Does the IDF really need every 18 year old male and female Haredi and Arab to enlist?' The status quo agreement exempts full-time yeshivah students. Arabs have also been exempt from conscription. Will we be doing more harm than good?
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