An IDF soldier serving in the Kfir Brigade was sentenced to jail for 20 days after refusing to shave during Sefiras HaOmer. A brother of the soldier posted used Facebook to get the word out, questioning how “one who wishes to uphold the heritage and minhag is punished like this. The General Staff regulations state that only one maintains a religious lifestyle may have a beard. I want to know who determines what a religious lifestyle is. Since when has the IDF become the entity to make such a determination?”

The brother continues, explaining there is a large population in Israel that does not find an appropriate response by the IDF, those who maintain tradition but may not appear religious in the eyes of the IDF.

“We, the people of Israel, are divided into many shades, and that is what makes us unique. There is no black and white here, there is one who keeps only kashrus the second keeps Shabbos and the third does not at all adhere, and really each in his own way.

“Therefore, every person should be given the opportunity to preserve his way of life. I understand the claim that it will be widespread and everyone asks for an exemption from shaving to permit a beard. So if a decision cannot be reached, no one receives an exemption? That is not the solution”, insists the brother.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)