Overview
- A report by Kan News that was carried by VINnews and Matzav on Tuesday and Wednesday said a haredi serviceman in a classified IDF technological unit ended his regular service after consulting Rabbi Avraham Salem.
- Salem told the soldier to leave regular service because, he said, the state was in conflict with students of Torah and that remaining a full-time soldier could expose the man and his family to harm.
- The rabbi reportedly allowed the man to continue reserve duty but warned him not to take steps that would create a deeper, long-term tie to the army.
- The case follows months of shifting rabbinic guidance that moved from some post–Oct. 7 encouragement for haredi enlistment to firmer opposition as enforcement of the Draft Law and sanctions on nonreporting yeshiva students intensified.
- The episode highlights how senior rabbis can shape individual choices and suggests possible effects on IDF recruitment, unit cohesion and efforts to create religiously accommodating service tracks for haredi soldiers.