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| Mothers of Charedi soldiers gather in Jerusalem (Jewish Press) |
On this day - Yom Yerushalayim - there are a couple of
things that troubled me. Not because they’re new issues. Not at all. These are
matters that constantly nibble at my consciousness, especially regarding the
lack of unity among observant Jews.
Yom Yerushalayim is a celebratory day with profound
significance for religious Jews. A significance not lost even on many secular
Jews. On this day in 1967, IDF Colonel Moti Gur entered the recaptured Old City
of Jerusalem, and declared, ‘Har HaBayit b’yadeinu!’ ‘The Temple Mount
is in our hands!’ After 2,000 years of exile, God had deemed His people - the
Jewish people - worthy of restoring sovereignty over the holiest site in the
world.
Moti Gur understood the significance of that moment. So did
Rav Ahron Soloveichik, who ruled that Yom Yerushalayim is a celebratory day
and therefore Tachanun should not be said.
But the Charedi world could not care less. They completely
ignore this day as though nothing important happened. So, I stood silently this
morning in the Charedi shul where I davened, as most around me said Tachanun.
And honestly - this lack of recognition made me angry, as it
does every year when this happens.
Even though I profoundly disagree with them on this, I do
understand their rationale for the not recognizing the State of Israel. It was
founded and is led by non-religious Jews. But to ignore the spiritual
significance of restoring the Makom HaMikdash into Jewish hands - as if
nothing happened at all - is mind-boggling. How far must their rejection of the
State go that they cannot even acknowledge the miraculous return to Har
HaBayit?
It sticks in my craw. (Although I’m not entirely sure what a
“craw” is—but you know what I mean.)
If I were Charedi, I think this one issue—this extreme rejectionist attitude
that does not give recognition even to the momentous event that happened on this
day in 1967 - would still bother me, even if I agreed with them about
everything else. And yet, it appears that it doesn’t bother the typical Charedi
Jew at all. They likely see me as out of sync with Daas Torah—and
perhaps hope that someday, I’ll "do Teshuva."
On the plus side, I was heartened to see a story about a
gathering of Charedi mothers whose sons serve in the IDF’s Charedi unit, Netzach
Yehuda.
As noted in the Jewish Press:
“In a modest hall in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening, dozens of Haredi mothers—whose sons serve in the Israel Defense Forces—gathered for what organizers and attendees alike called a historic moment: a rare public acknowledgment of their role, their pain, and their pride.”
The event, organized by the Netzah Yehuda Organization, marked the first of its kind—a formal, communal space for ultra-Orthodox women to speak openly about their sons in uniform. For many in the room, the evening was more than symbolic. It was a release of long-held tension. A recognition long withheld.
“In our communities, this subject isn’t always discussed,” said one mother, her voice trembling. “You carry it inside. Tonight, for the first time, I felt I could put it down.”
The fact that it isn’t discussed speaks volumes.
That’s probably because enlistment in the IDF is frowned upon - if not outright
rejected - even in units like Netzach Yehuda, which were specifically designed
to cater to Charedi sensitivities.
Why are they rejected? Because they are accused of not
keeping their promise. I recall one Charedi enlistee corroborating this claim,
reporting that a female instructor was sent to teach Netzach Yehuda recruits military
procedures - despite assurances that this would not happen. And
when he and others complained, they were threatened with charges of
insubordination.
So how can they trust the army?
On the other hand, other Charedi recruits have reported no
such violations of the IDF’s commitment to their particular religious
standards.
Clearly, Netzach Yehuda is a work in progress. It may have
some bugs to work out, but it should not be discarded as a forbidden endeavor
for Charedim.
These mothers were clearly proud of their sons - even as
they remained afraid to express that pride publicly.
Sadly, I don’t blame them. The strident anti-army
stance of Charedi leadership remains strong, citing the army’s failure to fully
uphold its promises. There is no real discussion about improvement. No
evaluation of whether these breaches are exceptions or the rule. Just blanket
opposition.
I wonder how this leadership feels about those who do
serve. About the families who support them and take pride in their
sacrifice. Are they ostracized? Are these young men considered rebels against Daas
Torah - even when they serve in Netzach Yehuda?
My gut feeling, based on conversations I’ve had with
hardcore Charedim, is that, yes! They are ostracized, to some extent. Not
entirely rejected, since they still observant and adhere to Charedi norms and
customs. But they’re seen as ‘Charedi-lite.’ They may respect the Gedolim who
issue the Daas Torah on this issue, but not enough to obey them. That’s how
they’re viewed.
How sad that those Charedim who recognize the injustice of
leaving the burden of war solely on the shoulders of others - are themselves
viewed with disdain. Even though they remain Charedi in every other way.
