Integrating Haredim into the IDF

Prior to the nightmare that gripped Israelis on October 7th—a horror that continues until every hostage (dead or alive) is returned—Israeli society was already embroiled in an internal war that remains unresolved. The issue of Haredi men avoiding military service by sheltering in Yeshivas, relying on government subsidies for economic survival rather than defending our country, is unacceptable and outrageous.

Some 3,000 years ago, when the Jews entered Eretz Israel under Yehoshua’s leadership, they were outflanked, outnumbered, and physically weaker than the Canaanite tribes. It was only through Hashem’s miracle that they survived. Yet, they were both warriors and devout Torah scholars, embedding both aspects into their lives. This is our legacy. Haredim must undergo a full-scale transformation.

Israel is a small nation, and the world watches us through the lens of brutal antisemitism. Our only way forward is through strength and unity. Haredi men cannot continue to hide behind faith as their sole defense. It is a sin to expect other families to send their sons to risk their lives while they refuse to serve. Taking handouts from the government or quasi-government agencies to sustain their lifestyle is equally wrong. Those funds should go to vulnerable citizens who truly need help—not to young, intelligent men who are fully capable of supporting themselves. In short, they are demanding a free ride at the expense of Israeli taxpayers while expecting others to protect them.

Their arguments hold no water. My two sons served—one in the elite Egoz unit and the other in Maglan, where he has been fighting in Gaza since the war began. We endured sleepless nights, never knowing if he was alive or injured. My eldest son survived the Nova Festival massacre. My wife and I lived through endless, agonizing nights, relying on a WhatsApp group where one parent provided updates on our son’s condition. He and his unit endured brutal conditions—sleeping in Arab apartments without heat, fully geared up with helmets on 24/7. The early days of the war were especially intense, with the IDF lacking crucial on-the-ground knowledge of guerrilla warfare.

Are you saying it’s fair that our children must risk their lives while Haredi men study in Yeshivas and refuse to work?

As of 2023, the Haredi population in Israel was approximately 1.39 million, with 57% (about 792,000) under the age of 19. In the 2023–2024 academic year, there were roughly 401,000 Haredi students up to age 18, making up 20% of all school students in Israel. Haredi families are significantly larger than their secular counterparts, further highlighting the growing disparity.

The IDF has made extensive efforts to accommodate the Haredi community, designing programs that allow them to serve without abandoning Torah study. Recently, the IDF introduced multiple initiatives aimed at integrating Haredi men into military service while respecting their religious and cultural needs. According to the IDF, only 48 out of 900 Haredi men who received call-up notices last month showed up at the army’s induction center

These programs demonstrate the army’s commitment to national unity and shared responsibility.

The question remains: If our sons can serve, why can’t theirs?

In January 2025, the IDF established the Hasmonean Brigade, an infantry unit specifically designed for Haredi soldiers. This brigade accommodates up to 4,000 troops, ensuring that recruits can maintain their Haredi lifestyle while serving.

The training program includes eight months of preparation, focusing on rifle skills, stealth tactics, open-terrain warfare, and night operations. Soldiers are required to adhere to a halakhic lifestyle, which includes maintaining a beard and payot, using appropriate language, and dressing according to Jewish law.

The first cohort of approximately 50 Haredi men enlisted in the brigade in early January 2025—a small but significant step toward integrating the Haredi community into Israel’s defense.

The Shlav Bet program is designed for Haredi men over the age of 26 who wish to fulfill their military service obligations. Participants undergo 2–3 weeks of basic training before being integrated into various reserve units across Israel.

The program is structured to accommodate religious practices, including designated prayer times, kosher meals, and daily Torah study. Since October 2024, approximately 600 Haredi men have enlisted through this initiative—a promising step toward greater participation in national defense.

To boost Haredi enlistment, the IDF announced plans to more than double the number of draft notices issued to young ultra-Orthodox men. In November 2024, 1,000 new draft notices were sent out, with an additional 6,000 planned in the following weeks. Despite these efforts, enlistment rates remain low, largely due to community pressure to avoid military service. To encourage participation, the IDF has introduced measures to accommodate Haredi recruits, including service opportunities in technical and logistical roles.

Currently, there are between 400,000 and 800,000 Haredim in Israel around the age of 18 who could be potential candidates for enlistment. Yet, as shown by the low number of recruits so far, this effort represents only about 1.5% of eligible Haredim—a mere dent in what is needed. More must be done at the grassroots level to encourage them to take responsibility and serve in defense of Israel.

Regarding their participation in the workforce, statistics show that over the past decade, the employment rate for Haredi men has remained relatively stable, hovering around 50%. Efforts have been made to integrate more Haredi individuals into the workforce. For example, the Jerusalem College of Technology offers programs specifically designed for Haredi men and women, encouraging them to pursue academic and professional careers. These initiatives have yielded promising results, with a growing number of Haredi students participating in higher education and entering the workforce.

There are programs in Israel that can assist them in finding employment such as:

Kemach Foundation: With a budget of $22 million, including government funding, the Kemach Foundation provides personalized career assessments, academic and vocational scholarships, and job placement services for the Haredi population. By April 2014, over 17,800 Haredim had benefited from its services, with more than 7,500 receiving scholarships to support their studies.

Council for Higher Education Initiatives: In 2012, the Council announced an investment of NIS 180 million over five years to create educational frameworks tailored for Haredim, with a focus on specific professions. The largest Haredi campus in Israel is The Haredi Campus at The Academic College Ono.

Israel Innovation Authority (IIA): The IIA fosters diversification in Israel’s high-tech sector by launching programs aimed at increasing employment and entrepreneurship among underrepresented groups, including Haredim. These initiatives emphasize training in advanced technological fields and supporting startups.

The bottom line is that we must work harder to bridge the rift between the Haredim and the rest of Israeli society, preventing further polarization that fuels tension and division. It’s crucial to create opportunities for the Haredim to voluntarily enlist in the IDF and enter the workforce, fully utilizing their G-d-given talents. The IDF is in greater need of soldiers, especially after the outbreak of the war. IDF reservists have seen their service time increase from 25–42 days over one to three years to around 136 days per year. This makes it clear why Israel needs to integrate the Haredim into the IDF to strengthen its defense capabilities. Israel, a small nation surrounded by 22 Arab states with a combined population of about 500 million—many of whom are adversaries—cannot afford to have any citizens exempt from contributing to our national security.