EPISODE · May 6, 2026 · 31 MIN
The Rabbi Who Sends Ultra-Orthodox Jews to Fight for Israel
from IDSF Daily Israel Briefing · host Moshe Davis
Why won't ultra-Orthodox Haredim serve in the IDF? Rabbi Carmi Gross says the Israeli Army has completely misunderstood the reason — and he should know. He runs the yeshiva that's changing everything. Rabbi Carmi Gross is the dean of Beit Midrash Derech Hayim — Israel's leading Haredi hesder yeshiva, where serious Torah study is combined with full IDF military service. In this conversation with the Israel Defense and Security Forum (IDSF), Rabbi Gross reveals what the Israeli government, the army, and the media consistently get wrong about the ultra-Orthodox draft debate. His answer will surprise you: it's not about keeping Shabbat in the army. It's not about kosher food or mixed units. It's about whether Haredim see themselves as Israelis at all. In this episode: Why the IDF's religious accommodations completely miss the real barrier The deep cultural identity that keeps ultra-Orthodox Jews from serving Rabbi Gross's "bricks made of glass" metaphor — and what it reveals about Haredi society today Why the Supreme Court ruling on economic sanctions against draft dodgers may backfire The grassroots "quiet revolution" already underway inside Haredi communities What a new category of Zionist Haredim could mean for Israel's future With Israel facing an urgent need for more soldiers and a Supreme Court order on Haredi conscription creating political shockwaves, this conversation is essential viewing. #Israel #IDF #UltraOrthodox #Haredi #IsraelNews #IsraelDefenseForces #HarediDraft #IsraeliArmy #Judaism #middleeastwar This is an episode from the IDSF Daily Briefings. To sign up to view the LIVE briefings, click here — http://bit.ly/IDSFBriefings Join the IDSF mailing list to receive updates from Israel and special invitations - http://bit.ly/3IC2ptZ Join the IDSF WhatsApp community to receive video clips of our briefings, and updates: http://bit.ly/IDSFWhatsapp
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The Rabbi Who Sends Ultra-Orthodox Jews to Fight for Israel
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