Avi K,
Let”s hear what Rabbi Melamed has said:
The IDF’s Eroding Attitude towards Jewish Tradition
It was recently reported that further erosion has occurred in the rules of ‘Appropriate Integration’ (‘Ha’Shiluv Ha’Ra’ui’) in the IDF; not only are religious soldiers forced to listen to female singers, but commanders are now allowed to force them to serve in mixed-gender units
And/Or
Military Rabbi is Not the Mara d’Atra
As a result of the steady erosion of the status of the Military Rabbinate, which also reflects a dismissive attitude towards Jewish tradition, I wrote a number of times that unfortunately, the IDF Chief Rabbi no longer has the authority of mara d’atra (the local rabbinic authority), whose instructions and halakhic rulings are binding, seeing as he does not have the independence required to be a mara d’atra.
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What is a Mara d’ Atra?
The literal meaning of mara d’atra is ‘master of the place’; in other words, the person who everyone listens to. In the past, the intention was a rabbi who was listened to in all matters of religious law and morality, including wage agreements and strikes. When the status of the rabbinate became weakened, the authority of the rabbi was reduced to the field of halakha alone. Nevertheless, when a community chose a rabbi, they undertook to abide by his halachic rulings. The Chief IDF Rabbi, however, is dependent on his superiors; it is forbidden for him to publish any halachic decision that has public implications without express approval of his superiors and the IDF spokesman. If he publishes a halakha in contradiction to the position of his superiors – he is discharged. In such a situation, he clearly lacks the authority of mara d’atra, rather, that of a senior officer and advisor of religious affairs to the Chief of Staff, as defined in the IDF commands. Moreover, a mara d’atra has to be chosen by God-fearing people with the purpose of strengthening Torah and observance of mitzvot, and not by secular officers whose interests are vastly different..
The Selection Process of Rabbi Krim
To our shame, this also happened in the election process of the next Chief IDF Rabbi, Rabbi Eyal Krim, shlita, who is a great Torah scholar and an outstanding combat officer, who served as a commander in the Sayeret Matkal (Special IDF Forces), and commander in the Sayeret Tzanchanim (Special Paratrooper Forces). For many generations the Jewish nation has waited for rabbis who combine safra and seifa (book and sword) as wonderfully as he does. However, the manner in which he was appointed shows just how subordinate he is to military leaders, and not free to express the position of Jewish law…
The Obligation to Rise in Opposition
For the sake of the Israeli army, which is obligated to honor Jewish tradition, it is our duty to rise up in opposition against these orders. This obligation is imposed on public officials, first and foremost, the Defense Minister and his deputy, and upon every soldier and officer.
This article appears in ‘Besheva’ ,, and was translated from Hebrew