Hashmonaim - a Bridge Toward Reconciliation

As upset as I am about the extremely negative Charedi attitude toward army service, I have always been careful to place the blame where it truly belongs - on the Charedi leadership. They are the ones who have convinced their followers that their views represent Daas Torah, the ultimate expression of divine will.

To be clear, these leaders would never claim to speak for God, nor are they so arrogant as to believe that literally. But they do believe they are somehow channeling His will in drawing on a lifetime of Torah study and communal leadership. They are not infallible — and would be the first to say so. And yet their policies toward the State of Israel are shaped by a long-standing belief that the government acts with hostility toward Torah Judaism.

That suspicion may have had some justification decades ago. But even then, any anti-religious intent was far from universal among Israel’s political leadership. Nevertheless, once early policies produced what they perceived as intolerable religious results, the Charedi worldview hardened. Ever since, many of their leaders have viewed anything the government does as malicious.

This mindset filters down to the rank and file. Ordinary Charedim, who are by definition Chareid L’Dvar HaShem - trembling at the possibility of transgressing God’s will - naturally defer to their rabbinic authorities. They have been taught that to question these leaders is to risk violating God’s word itself. Thus, their opposition to army service stems not from selfishness or indifference, but from a deeply ingrained Emunas Chachamim — faith that their sages know best.

Without such direction, I believe most Charedim would not instinctively oppose military service. Deep down, I think many understand the sacrifices soldiers make: that many are observant Jews; that families endure pain, fear, and loss; and that religious Zionist rabbis consider IDF service a religious obligation. They know of the Hesder yeshivot where Torah study and service are combined. And I suspect that in their heart of hearts, many Charedim realize they are not doing their part.

Still, cultural pressure is immense. A Charedi man raised to distrust the state faces enormous personal conflict in enlisting. Even joining the new Charedi units - such as the Hashmonaim Brigade - is condemned by much of the leadership. Those who enlist do so at great personal sacrifice. They are quite literally, heroes.

Professor Adam Ferziger captured this tension perfectly in a powerful observation he made at the Kotel:

“Before me stood a contingent of IDF soldiers — bearded, many with peyot — inductees into the new Hashmonaim Brigade. Families with black hats and long skirts watched proudly. Yet just steps away, a much larger group of black-clad young men prayed loudly in protest against the draft. Amid the fervor, I saw heads turn toward the soldiers — a flicker of curiosity, perhaps even admiration, crossing their faces.”

That scene, Ferziger wrote, ‘captures Israel’s national dilemma’. Indeed, the ongoing war and the enormous sacrifices of Israeli soldiers have only deepened resentment toward the Charedi sector. But it is precisely here, in the example of the Hashmonaim Brigade, that a potential bridge exists.

These young men deserve our admiration. They have not only risked life and limb like every other soldier — they have also defied powerful cultural and social pressures within their own community. They serve the Jewish people with devotion while maintaining their faith and standards.

Professor Ferziger himself approached the soldiers and said simply, ‘Tizke le-mitzvot - May you continue to merit God’s commands’. That gesture captured the spirit of what our nation needs.

He added that these soldiers are heroes — not despite their Charedi identity, but because of the immense inner struggle they have overcome to affirm it alongside their service.

If there can be a grass roots effort that can begin to heal the bitter rift between Jew and Jew, this might just be it.