Dozens of Charedi Israelis join IDF’s new Hasmonean Brigade

The IDF is taking a gradual approach toward recruiting Charedim, hoping that the community will take note that the brigade is responsive to the religious needs of the ultra-Orthodox, fostering trust in the military.

The Hasmonean Brigade was named after the dynasty that began after the Jews threw off the yoke of Hellenistic rule in the Maccabean Revolt (167 BCE to 141 BCE) against the Seleucid Empire.

The brigade requires recruits to follow a strict halachic lifestyle—that is, one in keeping with Jewish law. Observant Jews serve as commanders in the unit.

Brigade enlistees were asked to sign a document accepting its rules. One clause states that recruits will at all times maintain a religious way of life, be careful to use "clean" speech, keep beards and sidelocks throughout their service if they entered the army with them, and wear Sabbath clothes during Sabbath prayers and meals “as is customary in ultra-Orthodox society (and even a suit and a hat).”

All the courses and training for soldiers in the brigade will be conducted internally to avoid mixing with non-Orthodox units, a nod to a concern among many ultra-Orthodox.