Hasmonean Brigade
| Hasmonean Brigade | |
|---|---|
| חטיבת חשמונאים | |
 | |
| Active | 2024 - Present |
| Country | Israel |
| Branch | Israeli Ground Forces |
| Role | Haredi infantry brigade |
| Size | 4,000 |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Avinoam Emunah |
The Hasmonean Brigade (Hebrew: חטיבת החשמונאים) is planned to be an infantry unit in the Israeli Defense Forces intended to accommodate Haredi soldiers, who were previously exempt from conscription in Israel. The brigade is currently being arranged and commanded by Colonel Avinoam Emunah and will potentially have up to 4,000 soldiers.[1][2][3][4]
The Israeli Ministry of Defense says the unit is intended for single or married soldiers who wish to maintain their Haredi lifestyle and combine their religious studies with military service.
Enlistees will undergo 8 months of training to join the brigade, which includes rifleman, stealth, open terrain warfare, and night operations training.[5] They are also required to sign a document stating that they will follow a halakhic lifestyle, which includes maintaining a beard and peyos, refraining from foul language, and dressing in accordance with Jewish law.[6]
Organization
[edit]The first company of the brigade is slated to be stood up before Chanukah 2024.
As of November 28th 2024, 30 men have passed the initial screenings for entry into the unit.[7]
See also
[edit]Sources
[edit]- ^ "IDF launches first ultra-Orthodox combat brigade". www.israelhayom.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (4 November 2024). "IDF chief updated on establishment of new brigade for ultra-Orthodox soldiers". The Times of Israel.
- ^ "חטיבת חשמונאים". M-O-D (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ זיתון, יואב; אלבז-אלוש, קורין (2024-11-04). "צה"ל: הלוי עודכן בסטטוס הקמת חטיבת חרדים, שתקלוט עד כ-4,000 חיילים". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ "חטיבת חשמונאים". M-O-D (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ Isaac, David (2024-11-28). "IDF picks Chanukah for haredi recruitment to Hasmonean Brigade". JNS.org. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
- ^ Isaac, David (2024-11-28). "IDF picks Chanukah for haredi recruitment to Hasmonean Brigade". JNS.org. Retrieved 2024-12-08.