In the midst of the political turmoil surrounding the
universal draft bill, an 18-year-old ultra-Orthodox youth is set to make
history by being the first haredi to enlist in the IAF's hugely prestigious
flying school.
Becoming a flight pilot is a childhood dream for Y., whose
father heads a Chabad center, and expected his son to follow the family
tradition and devote himself wholesale to the study of Torah. "I'm proud
to enlist in the IDF in order to protect the Jewish people in the most
meaningful way possible," Y. told family members one month before the
imminent draft.
"Of course the study of Torah is a supreme value, yet
I'm out to show that being an observant Jew is not in contradiction with
serving in the IDF's elite units. One can contribute in this manner too."
Y.'s family was supportive of his choice.
"We don't mean to encourage all haredi youths to enlist
in the army, god forbid," the teenager's father told Yedioth Ahronoth. "We believe that
just as the IDF protects Israel and it is a great honor to serve in it, the
study of Torah protects the Jews as well.
"We need both soldiers and Torah students to protect
Israel. From the moment that Y. decided to not continue his studies at the
yeshiva we extend all possible support so that he makes it throughout the
course, including maintaining his faith."
The IDF's three-year flying course is considered
extraordinary in difficulty, and only a small proportion of applicants complete
it.
Y. is a graduate of the first year of the Torah Leadership
Academy, a special preparatory institution designed to facilitate integration
within the military for haredi youths. "We are trailblazers," he told
Yedioth Ahronoth a year ago. "The experiment is working. There is no other
institution in Israel that provides these options to able haredi youths who
don't fit in at the yeshiva, yet want to live with dignity."
Meanwhile, Y. is spending the weeks before enlistment by
poring over holy books.
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