Menachem Mendel Roth is a Hasidic singer, composer, and religious figure in Israel.
This is what he wrote:
"Although I may not represent mainstream Haredi Judaism - I've made a momentous decision: I'm enlisting in the IDF's new Haredi Brigade.
For the past year, since the war began, my heart has been shattered over and over again. The toll has been unimaginable: bereaved parents, wounded soldiers returning home forever changed, and tens of thousands of families grappling with the loss or injury of their loved ones. Our reserve soldiers have been away from home for over a year now, leaving behind worried spouses and children in broken homes. The anxiety of parents, not knowing if their sons will return safely - or how they'll return - is overwhelming. This war has touched every home in our nation, leaving no family untouched by its bloody wake.
A question has been haunting me: How can I continue sitting at home as if nothing is happening? I read about fallen soldiers in the news, sigh, and go about my day. In my immediate community, you'd hardly know that the country has been in turmoil for a year. Deep down, I've known something was fundamentally wrong with this situation. How can I remain silent while my brothers' blood is being spilled?
It took me a full year to face this hard truth. Instead of carrying around a burden of excuses while my conscience weighed heavily on me, I knew I had to act. I needed to explore my options, to see if there was a way for someone like me - a Haredi Jew - to serve while maintaining my religious way of life. If such a path existed, I knew I had to take it.
That's when I learned about the new Hashmonaim Brigade, a dedicated Haredi unit being formed right now. I understand perfectly well what it means for someone like me to put on an IDF uniform and become a combat soldier. This isn't a decision I could make lightly, especially given my influence on young people in the Haredi community. So I met with the brigade's advisory team, discussed my concerns, raised important cultural sensitivities, and learned about their vision. What I discovered amazed me.
This isn't just another "Haredi track" in the IDF - it's something entirely new. The military has gained a deeper understanding this year and is committed to doing whatever it takes to make this succeed. They're truly listening to our community's spiritual and emotional needs and adapting accordingly. Even more remarkably, when I spoke with the Haredi staff involved in this project, I learned that most Haredi rabbis who've been fully briefed on the details have given their blessing to this groundbreaking initiative. While they suggested that mass recruitment might take a year to prove itself, they were genuinely impressed by the revolutionary approach.
