First ultra-Orthodox recruits join new Hasmonean Brigade, gaining support from some rabbis

The first ultra-Orthodox military company of the new IDF Hasmonean Brigade welcomed its first recruits on Sunday. 

By early afternoon, around 50 of the anticipated 150 recruits had already arrived, with another 100 scheduled to join later in the day. The IDF is moving forward with plans to fill in the newly formed brigade, designed to enable Haredi men to serve without compromising their ultra-Orthodox lifestyle.

The enlistment of two companies on Sunday represents the first step in forming the ultra-Orthodox brigade and marks a significant milestone in integrating the ultra-Orthodox sector into the IDF, particularly in response to the operational demands of the ongoing war.

While Haredi units already exist within the IDF, the Hasmonean Brigade is the first one devoted entirely to ultra-Orthodox soldiers.

כחלק מתהליך הגיוס, ובמסגרת המהלכים להגברת האיוש ולחיזוק כשירות היחידות, צה״ל, בהובלת אגף כוח האדם, ממשיך ומשלים בימים אלה את הגיוסים למערך הלחימה וליתר המערכים, לרבות גיוס בני המגזר החרדי>> pic.twitter.com/crqo64cZxF

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Prior to forming the new brigade, the IDF carried out an extensive process of preparations, including identifying and training personnel, adapting policies, renovating the training base, and making adjustments to accommodate the ultra-religious way of life while training for military service.

The Israel Air Force also recently established a special technician program for Haredi men wanting to enlist.

IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Amir Baram visited the Hasmonean Brigade at their base last Thursday. He lit the second candle of Hanukkah with another Brigade commander, Col. Avinoam Emunah, and the command staff. 

During his visit, Baram reviewed the new infrastructure and held a command-level dialogue with the new staff to ensure readiness to receive the first ultra-Orthodox fighters. 

“Thanks to you, we have had a great opportunity, a great privilege, to be the first to establish an ultra-Orthodox brigade in the IDF,” Baram said. “There is no contradiction between pious, ultra-Orthodox Judaism, and fighting, courage, and battle. This is currently a deep operational and social need. Here, at the new base of the brigade, we have prepared all the conditions in order to maintain a Jewish, ultra-Orthodox, and military framework at the same time. The ranks must expand.” 

The creation of a separate Haredi brigade was seen as a necessary step for the ultra-Orthodox community to be comfortable allowing men to enlist in the military. The ultra-Orthodox sector has previously expressed concerns about the nature of IDF training and the daily life of soldiers, which is often quite different and includes co-ed training, training on Shabbat, and other elements perceived as conflicting with the ultra-Orthodox lifestyle.

Ultra-Orthodox rabbis have also complained that when Haredi men choose to enlist in the IDF, a significant number of them end up leaving the religious community afterward, often becoming secular. 

Several recruits spoke with Hebrew news site Ynet, explaining their reasons for joining the newly created unit. Some admitted they had already been thinking of enlisting before the creation of the new unit, but the announcement convinced them to take the decision. 

One of the recruits, Yaakov (Jacob) explained, “I always thought about enlisting, but until two months ago, I was planning to get an exemption. When I was offered the Hashmonaim (Hasmonean), I was thrilled.” 

Another recruit, Uriel Cohen of Bnei Barak, said that not all ultra-Orthodox rabbis oppose military enlistment. 

"Two or three years ago, I was in yeshiva,” Cohen said. “Enlisting wasn’t even something on my mind. But about six months ago, I decided, ‘Alright, I’m doing this.’” 

Regarding rabbinic opposition to IDF service, Cohen said, “Not all rabbis oppose it. My rabbis support me.” 

Another recruit, Eliyahu Brodner from Beit Shemesh, said his rabbis also supported his decision to enlist, although privately. 

He told Ynet that he felt uncomfortable watching other men his age serve and die for their country. 

“After October 7, I wanted to enlist. I saw young men my age falling in the war. I didn’t feel comfortable sitting in yeshiva. I’m not exactly studying all day. I didn’t feel right about it – they’re sacrificing their lives to protect me,” Brodner said. 

The announcement about the new Hasmonean Brigade gave him the freedom to enlist. 

“I didn’t have an option until this unit was established. It’s a new place and my rabbis told me privately, ‘Go there.’” 

Brodner says that not every Haredi should enlist, but if they are not devoted to full-time study, he believes they should serve.

“If an individual is fully committed to his yeshiva studies, he should stay there. But for someone like me, who isn’t, he should enlist.”