IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir spent Sunday visiting the Tevez base, home to the Chashmonaim Brigade, where he observed the unit’s training in action. Accompanying him were Major General Nadav Lotan, who leads the Israeli Ground Forces, Major General Dado Bar Kalifa, head of the Manpower Directorate, Colonel A., the brigade’s commander, and several other senior officers.
During the visit, Zamir was given a detailed briefing on the brigade’s training structure, including how it has been customized to meet the needs of the chareidi soldiers serving within its ranks. He was also updated on the brigade’s operational deployment and performance in the Gaza Strip.
Engaging directly with the soldiers, Zamir spoke about the vital contribution they are making to the military and to the nation, especially during a time of immense security challenges.
“You are proof that there is no contradiction between a chareidi lifestyle and serving in the IDF. Anyone who enlists chareidi will remain chareidi,” he told the soldiers.
He went on to express admiration for the brigade’s courage and commitment. “I want to tell you that you are a wonderful group from the people of Israel, from the Jewish people. We operated in Iran, 1,500 kilometers from here. We are operating in Lebanon, we are present in Syria, and we are operating in Gaza against those who tried to destroy us. We are defending ourselves, and to defend ourselves, we truly need the best people and the great spirit that exists in this nation. I believe you embody the spirit of our people, and I want to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for that.”
Zamir emphasized the IDF’s efforts to accommodate religious soldiers, allowing them to maintain their commitment to Torah and mitzvos while proudly serving their country. “We are doing everything to enable you to combine the world of Torah and study with the world of military service. Your integration into the IDF is something you should be proud of. Your families should be proud of it, your community should be proud of it.”
Recognizing the unique role these soldiers are playing, he praised their courage in choosing a path that hasn’t always been easy or conventional. “In this sense, you should see yourselves as pioneers and trailblazers—you are truly leading the way. And I am confident and certain that you will receive recognition for this. I know some of you may be experiencing challenges, perhaps personal ones, but I am confident, and I say this from my own experience, that what matters most in life, and what pays off, is perseverance.”
He concluded his remarks by commending the brigade’s active deployment in Gaza, describing it as a testament to the strength of belief and dedication. “Today, we have Chashmonaim soldiers fighting in the Gaza Strip, doing exceptional work there. I believe this is proof that faith prevails. In that sense, I want to say once again, thank you very much, and deep appreciation for what you’re doing. Be proud of yourselves.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
Not according to statistics. Besides, Nachal Chareidi are not chareidim.
Which statistics? What statistics?
AP statistics ? Reuters statistics ?
Let’s wait and see, till after a few years, what the soldiers actually say about what happened, when they no longer have to fear their higher-ups. Until that happens, the chareidi public has every right to be extremely wary. Till now, promises have been broken left and right, for many many years.
So then let join and have an impactful of frum , instead of hocking and complaining for years.
It doesn’t matter what happens in 5 years. It’s a milchemes mitzva. They are doing the right thing. Share the burden. “Statistics!”, “Not Chareidim!” blah blah blah
What exactly is the mitzvah of serving in an immoral anti-Torah army? And along side women in the army? In fact, it’s a sin. Women have no right to be in the army. Let alone other sins. Only someone who has not learned Torah could write such lies and foolishness.
MMH is correct. A lot of the boys come from charedi families, but are not personally charedi. Others come from religious non-charedi homes.
Recently, Brigadier-General Erez Viener recently gave an interview in which he said that NIF plants its own people in strategic positions in the IDF to purposely weaken it. The extremely wealthy NIF also approaches female soldiers in influential positions to advance their agenda. (That’s where the massive push for increased female enlistment, including into roles all wrong for them, like combat, comes from.)
What people don’t know and about what the Jewish English-speaking media refuses to educate itself, kal v’chomer report on, is that the IDF is running out of combat soldiers due to death, injury, and PTSD. The top brass is running the war in a way that harms its own soldiers.
Many, many “friendly fire” incidents could’ve been prevented by proper administration. I don’t blame the soldiers or commanders, but those at the top who actually run the war.
With the above 2 issues in mind, guess why the army so badly wants to force charedi boys into its ranks…
You claim they’re chareidim? Do they go to mikva daily or at least Erev Shabbos? Do they even have a mikva? Do they keep Shabbos? Are all their foods under Bedatz or Rav Landau? How much do they associate with women/girls?
The Chashmonaim brigade is NOT nachal charedi (for those who seem not to know the difference). It is a new brigade that is really really trying to keep the boys charedi. My son has a friend there. They have to wear a hat and jacket to davening every morning (I’m assuming that’s different while actively serving in Gaza…) and they learn morning seder IN THE ARMY. Yes, the charedi public has every right to be weary of this program (the nachal charedi program was not successful in this area as many boys were from charedi families but not very frum themselves, and they were not given the same infrastructure that Chashmonaim is being given.) These boys are frum, there are absolutely no women on their bases, and they get mehadrin/badatz food. Will it be successful? Only time will tell, but it is definitely a step in the right direction in order to enlist frum bochurim who do not find their place in Yeshiva (not because they are not frum, but because they do not want to learn full time).