Chareidim & the Army (Pt. 3): What is Nachal Chareidi/Netzach?

In Episode 4 of the Iyun Podcast - and Pt. 3 of our mini-series on Chareidim and Army Service - we begin exploring various frameworks that currently exist to absorb those chareidim seeking to draft into military service. We begin with what is known as Nachal Chareidi, or Netzach Yehuda (now Netzach). These two are often conflated, although actually they are related but not identical institutions.

We speak with CEO Yossi Levi about these programs, how they are actually constructed, how they differ from other IDF units, and the future of this enterprise.

Learn more about Nachal Chareidi and Netzach at https://nahalharedi.org/

In Episode 3 of the Iyun Podcast - and Pt. 2 of our mini-series on Chareidim and Army Service - we interrogate the "moral claim" leveled by Israeli society, broadly writ, against those Jewish brothers who elect not to serve in the IDF. With Moshe's rhetorical repudiation of, "Shall your brothers go to war and you will stay back?" (Bamidbar 32:6) as a backdrop, we evaluate whether this intuitive, viscerally powerful contention is dispositive on this vital topic.

Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer has written extensively about this issue, and is joined by Mrs. Ilana Cowland, a noted parent educator and speaker, with "feet" planted firmly in multiple communal "camps."

IMPORTANT LINKS:

An Open Letter to our Haredi Sisters (Hebrew):

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfT7lDYfGJTKmTysGESMB6-Y-iHHxTU4FmSjFSprLkdzBzyYQ/viewform

Ilana Cowland's recent Times of Israel column on the current intra-chareidi divide:

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/kornreich-vs-dunner-a-haredi-womans-opinion/?_gl=1*1nv2abx*_ga*MTAyNjk0MDk4OC4xNjk5OTkxMjAx*_ga_RJR2XWQR34*MTcxMjIzNzExMi4xMzI1LjEuMTcxMjIzOTM0NS4wLjAuMA

"Now It’s Brotherhood’s Turn," by R' Yehoshua Pfeffer

https://iyun.org.il/en/sedersheni/now-its-brotherhoods-turn/

EPISODE SUMMARY

This episode of the Iyun Podcast begins our discussion of the complex relationship between Chareidi society and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Featuring insights from Iyun Institute founder Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer and guest Rabbi Yosef Chaim Simchon, the conversation explores the historical, moral, and societal aspects of Charedi participation in the army. From Rabbi Simchon's personal journey and transformational experiences in the IDF to the nuanced objections within the Chareidi community, this episode offers an in-depth look at the intersection of faith, identity, and national service.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction

00:32 Chareidim and IDF: The Core Issues

02:17 Guest Introduction: Rabbi Yosef Chaim Simchon

02:26 Rabbi Simchon's Personal Journey

11:11 The Moral and Practical Realities of Army Service

50:11 Concluding Reflections and Calls for Unity

EPISODE SUMMARY

On this pilot episode of the Iyun Podcast, we begin our in-depth exploration into Chareidi society, focusing on its integration into modern Israeli society and the implications for the Jewish community at large. Featuring Iyun Institute founder and director Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer, we delve into the various factions within Chareidi society, including Litvish, Hasidic, and Sephardi groups, and explore the balance between traditionalism and modernity.

Our episode also highlights the cultural contributions of the Chareidi community and its evolving role within both Israeli society and the broader Jewish diaspora, aiming to foster a sense of identity and cultural exchange. We begin to outline communal challenges, and sketch out potential pathways for more harmonious integration and participation in the shaping of Israel's future.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome and Introduction

03:36 Special Guest: Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer on Chareidi Identity and Challenges

06:29 Rabbi Pfeffer's Journey: From London to the Heart of Israeli Chareidi Society

10:54 Defining Chareidi Identity: A Complex Tapestry

20:02 The Shift Towards Addressing Broader Societal Challenges

28:28 Navigating Academia as a Chareidi: Rabbi Pfeffer's Experience

35:14 Understanding the Diverse Factions within Chareidi Society

41:36 Comparing Hasidic, Litvish, and Sefardi Isolationism

45:31 The Spectrum of Chareidi Identity: Traditional vs. Modern

01:07:45 The Role of English-Speaking Chareidim in Israel

01:12:15 Launching the Iyun Podcast: A New Chapter