Religious Soldiers

Chief Rabbi Kalman Meir Bar spoke out against the decision to prosecute soldiers for alleged insubordination and argued that their right to maintain their way of life must be considered. "How unfortunate that those who absorbed their culture from a foreign culture and are far from the Torah of Israel determined the codes," he stated.

Officers in the Military Rabbinate address the letter from the Hesder Yeshivas Union following the refusal of Givati Brigade soldiers to follow orders. In closed conversations, they clarify that the soldiers' actions are unacceptable, but sharply criticize commanders who lied to religious soldiers and caused them to desecrate the Sabbath. "This did not happen in a vacuum," they explained.

Three Givati soldiers who refused to board a medical evacuation Namer APC where a female paramedic was present were tried today and sentenced to 10 days in military prison. The soldiers refused, according to them, in accordance with the instructions of their rabbis, and additional soldiers from the unit are expected to stand trial and be punished.

There are moments when a person realizes that their mission does not end where they thought it ended. For thirteen years, we have had the privilege of accompanying religious soldiers all over the country. We visit bases, study Torah with them, hold gatherings, send out pocket-sized books, provide support, listen, and above all, strive to uphold one simple principle: that there should be no soldier...