Bearded men have always been a common sight in Israel. While once they were for the most part religious Jews or Muslims, beards have become a fashion trend among secular young men as well. Indeed, growing a beard these days in the Western world is hip. Of course, here in the Middle East , one need not be a music fan or aficionado of eclectic art to cultivate facial hair.

The ultra-Orthodox, who seem to fare better than the others as far as the ban goes, see the new directive from their own point of view. They argue that the ban on beard-growing in the military is further evidence that the IDF is not really interested in integrating them into the system . Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel, a religious Zionist member of HaBayit HaYehudi, has even appealed to Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, warning that the directive could undermine the recruitment of the ultra-Orthodox.

Members of the national religious sector, many of whom sport beards, protested that they were being discriminated against. They argue that the ultra-Orthodox are readily given permission to grow a beard, while they are required to obtain all sorts of approvals. Secular soldiers who grow a beard for personal reasons formed a Facebook group called " Free Will " just before the directive came into force, and went so far as to appeal to the Supreme Court Feb. 25, claiming that they were being discriminated against in favor of religious and ultra-Orthodox soldiers.

A new directive from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) came into effect this month, banning soldiers from growing beards unless they are granted permission to do so by their military rabbi, unit commander and the commander's adjutant. The decision was prompted by concerns that beard-growing was getting out of control and thus undermining military discipline and uniformity. The news of the directive sparked quite an uproar in Israel, giving rise to allegations of discrimination on the part of virtually every sector in the country. Hipsters, religious Zionists and the ultra-Orthodox have all rallied under a common banner, if only for the moment.

According to Tomer Persico, a researcher and lecturer on world religions, research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, and the academic director of the Alma cultural and intellectual center, beard-growing in Israel is a matter of identity. "A beard identifies a man as belonging not just to the religious community, but to the strictly observant sector in this community," Persico told Al-Monitor. "The beard has long played a significant role in Judaism. Until the 18th century, European Jews were identified by their beards, and those who shaved were disapproved of for straying from religion."

Rabbi Jacob Laufer explained to Al-Monitor, "Basically, beard-growing originates in the Jewish prohibition of shaving the beard with a razor, which is based on the Torah commandment 'You shall not round the corners of your heads; neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.'" The Torah scholar continued, "The invention of the electric shaver has offered a way around the prohibition. However, there are those who find it more convenient to grow a beard and spare the trouble." And according to the Kabbalah, shaving or even plucking the beard is problematic. "The greatest Kabbalist [of modern times], commonly known as Ha'ARI, was careful not to pluck the beard hair, saying that it is sacred, as it bestows spiritual abundance upon a man. In keeping with his teachings, his devotees used to grow their beards, never shaving," Laufer recounted.

"It is also a socio-cultural matter," he added. "Thus, for instance, young men in the Lithuanian [ultra-Orthodox] community are not in the habit of growing a beard. However, around the age of 30, the vast majority starts growing a beard. It is seen as imparting respectability, and in older ages, it would be deemed very unusual not to grow a beard."

Popular as beard-growing may be among the various religious communities in the country, there are quite a few Israelis who grow them for entirely different reasons. "I actually started to grow a beard during my military service, and I find the beard ban outrageous," 31-year-old Tel Aviv resident Bar Weiser told Al-Monitor. "It's a sort of a statement in protest against the rules dictated by society that stipulate how I should look. For me, growing a beard was my way of saying to myself, and perhaps also to those around me: That's me; that's what I am. There is no doubt narcissism in it, but conformity is even worse. A beard has other advantages as well. As a rather short person, it seems to me that people perceive me more seriously because of the beard."

Asking that his name be withheld, a military official explained to Al-Monitor the rationale for the new directive. "The goal was to regulate beard-growing in the army as it got out of control," he said. "A situation was created where any lazy soldier who wanted a few more minutes of sleep in the morning started going around unshaved. Many declared that they were growing a beard for religious reasons, but we knew that they were [lying]. We say it clearly and there is no need for anyone to be concerned: Each soldier capable of demonstrating that beard-growing is an inherent part of his life, for religious or other reasons, will be granted permission to grow a beard."

However, in recent weeks, a number of reports have emerged of religious soldiers forced by the military to shave their beards. Many soldiers claim that their applications to grow a beard, whether for religious or personal reasons, have been repeatedly rejected and that quotas have been set for exemptions.

The beard, so it seems, is a unique means of self-expression for men. For the ultra-Orthodox or otherwise religious, the beard is a statement of social affiliation. For some of the nonreligious, it can be an anti-social statement. For others, it is just a matter of being trendy. While exceptional permits are granted to religious and other soldiers, to a large extent, the IDF's attempt to enforce uniform disciplinary rules on everyone in military service reflects the organization's objective of serving as a social melting pot. It turns out, however, that not all Israeli soldiers are willing to conform.