ACTUAL

Israel's ultra-Orthodox, exempt from military service, are now enlisting

Mordehai the port is leaving home in a black suit and hat. Only after arriving at a military base in the Central Israel did he change in his green military uniform.

The port, an ultra-orthodox Jew, does not want his family or neighbors to be noticed him in a uniform and revealed his secret: he joined the Israeli Defense Army.

The 36-year-old social worker is one of the growing numbers of ultra-ortoxical Jews, or Hredimov, who responded to Hamas attack on October 7, joining the Israeli campaign to eradicate this group, sometimes quietly, despite the release of community from military service.

After the sudden attack, when Hamas and allied militants came out of Gaza, killing people and capturing another 200 hostages, volunteers from all sections of Israel's society sought to join military efforts.

Their release from compulsory call has long been the subject of disputes in a country where military service is an integral part of national identity. This led to the fall of the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyagu in 2019, which was the beginning of the four-year election crisis.

Hordim is strongly opposed to be forced to serve, on the grounds that they should spend all their free time to study the Torah. They are concerned that young harredes who have been sent to the army will never return to their religious duties.

Their size and influence forced the Israeli leaders to meet their requirements. They were also exempted from compliance with national education standards and paying some taxes.

The rush of joining military service, although it remains tabooed among some Hredimov, shows how the Hamas attack and the war of Israel, in which his troops were killed 21 320 and wounded 55 603 people in gas, change, even unite the scattered segments of this divided country, including some of its deepest lines.

"We have a Herred community that legitimizes the army, Hredge community reduces its stigma to the boys who join military service," said Nechumi Yaffy, a teacher of the Tel-Aviv University of Social and Political Studies. "We have a Herred community that says it is very important to have an army and I would be more willing to call for military service."

Yaffy interfered with Hredim about their attitude to the military in March 2022 and again after October 7. In 2022, 35 percent completely agreed that they should contribute to the defense of Israel. After attacks, this figure increased to 49 percent.

After October 7, the Israeli Defense Army instructed Rabina Hreda to recruit the community. The 65-year-old Rami Davad served in the Air Force of Israel. He called in WhatsApp. In a few hours, more than 400 people responded. Sometimes they registered.

The exchange of messages was crucial, said the drawer. He assured candidates who were still studying at Eshiv or Religious School that they would not have to throw their studies. "The ideology of Hredo is not contrary to the idea of ​​the army," he said. Torah contains stories about soldiers and war. - But you will not force them.

Hredah was probably never as separated from Israeli society as October 7. It was a Jewish Saturday, as well as a joyful holiday of Seven. Community members woke up from a large number of sirens than usual, but since they are refrained from the use of electricity in sabbat, they could not know the cause.

"I did not know that when I danced, others were crying," - the port.

He wanted to help. As a social worker, he believed that he could support soldiers. His wife told him that he was crazy. She assumed that entering the military service would hurt the family in the community.
The port was enrolled in mid -October. He passed a two -week military training and was tasked with providing psychological consultations to soldiers working with the bodies of the dead.
Despite his attempts to hide his new work, information about it began to spread in his community. His son was denied two religious schools without explaining the reasons.
"I knew that there would be strict consequences that I should take into account," the port said. However, he said, "it is worth it."
During training, conscripts learn to own weapons, pass obstacles and get acquainted with their officers, many of whom are ten years younger. Graduates were appointed drivers, chefs and guards. Some were instructed to prepare corpses for burial, which is a sacred practice laid down in the Jewish Law.

When Benka Schwartz joined military service, his relatives sent him an e -mail to make his disapproval. Schwartz, who is almost 40 years old, is not taught to serve in battle, but he would like it to be possible.

The Israeli campaign destroyed most of the gases. More than 1.8 million residents of Gaza have left their homes. They suffer from a lack of water, food and roof over their heads, sharply restrict medical care and block electricity and communication. International humanitarian organizations warn of hunger growth.

Schwartz said he supports military efforts with all his heart.

"I do not sympathize with the residents of the gases that woke up on October 7 and went, some of them on crutches, kill, rape and torture Jews," he said. "There is a clear principle in any religion:" Who came to kill you, get up before to kill him. "

Others see more nuances, but they say that it is eventually survival. UK citizen Nathan Rakov, who lived most of his life in Israel, was admitted to the army and waited for his appointment.

"Any innocent person who dies is a painful and unjust thing," he said. "On the other hand, the value of preserving my life, the life of my children and my siblings is also high - as a person, a Jew and as a religious person."

Rakov said that on October 7, the consequences forced him to feel as patriotic as religious. "Do I feel more than Israeli?" He asked. - Yes.

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