Between Talmud and Weapons: The Meeting That Shook the World of Dozens of Haredi Youth

120 Haredi young men attended an exposure day at the Hashmonaim Brigade, where they watched combat exercises, spoke with soldiers, and learned about combining a Haredi lifestyle with combat service. The IDF reports a rise in Haredi enlistment numbers.

120 Haredi young men, most of them yeshiva students, arrived at the Hashmonaim Brigade base for a special exposure day held during the 'Bein Hazmanim' break. They watched a hostage rescue exercise, tried out weapons, and met commanders and soldiers. The IDF emphasizes that accommodations for the Haredi lifestyle do not come at the expense of operational standards. The soldiers underwent full infantry training and have operated in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, and Judea and Samaria. Enlistment data shows an increase: from 57 soldiers in the first cycle in early 2025 to 97 in the latest cycle. The number of Haredi enlistees rose from about 1,700 in 2022 to over 4,000 in 2025, with about a thousand in combat roles. The article presents the event in a positive light, highlighting emotional moments and the social complexity surrounding enlistment.

Between Talmud and Weapons: The Meeting That Shook the World of Dozens of Haredi Youth