The Israeli army is facing a huge shortage of soldiers during the war, now the Israeli army has started recruiting Jews engaged in religious activities as well. The IDF said it has started its first recruitment for the ultra-Orthodox brigade 'Hashmonaim'. On Monday, the IDF said on X that about 50 ultra-Orthodox soldiers were recruited into the army, forming the first company of the brigade.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews are known as Haredim. The army also said that 100 more ultra-Orthodox will be made part of the brigade's first reserve company after 6 months of training. This is a special step taken by the Israeli government to meet the needs of the war and to connect the ultra-Orthodox community with the army.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews, called Haredim in Hebrew, are the most strict sect of Judaism, segregating themselves from society for prayer and worship. They have a distinctive dress code, with women wearing long, modest robes and a head covering and men wearing dark suits or overcoats and large fur hats.
This community was exempted from compulsory military conscription under Israeli law, a practice known as "Torato Umanuto," which means "the study of religion is its sole occupation."
The legal exemption given to Haredim was abolished in July last year. After this there were protests across the country.
