A prominent ultra-Orthodox rabbi on Wednesday sharply attacked the IDF's newly established Hasmonean Brigade, which is comprised of Haredi soldiers, accusing its members of persecuting religious men and urging the public to shun them.
Rabbi Yitzchok Kolodetsky, a prominent figure in the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, told Kol Barama Radio that the brigade “murders the entire people of Israel” and falls under the traditional curse against informers.
“They may have beards and sidelocks, but they persecute unfortunate yeshiva students,” Kolodetsky said. “Don’t open your doors to them, don’t cooperate with them in any way.”
He broadened his criticism to the army in general, saying that even ultra-Orthodox men who are not studying in yeshiva should not enlist. “Even the best framework in the IDF is a bluff,” he said. “They are missionaries and liars… The army is idolatry, bloodshed and immorality. They don’t care about anything.”
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Kolodetsky claimed that a young man recently came to him in distress over problems with the military and warned of what he called a “war of annihilation against Israel.”
His comments came as the household of Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein issued a clarification over a separate meeting with Hasmonean Brigade commanders.
Rabbi Yitzchok Zilberstein and Hasmonean Brigade commanders
(Video: Lechathila)
Video released Tuesday showed Zilberstein blessing the officers and telling them they were doing the right thing. On Wednesday, his family said the footage was misleading, explaining that the meeting took place during the rabbi’s regular public lecture after the officers arrived unannounced, having been denied a formal visit.
They said Zilberstein praised the soldiers’ Torah knowledge to encourage them to continue studying, but that this did not constitute support for military enlistment.