Hesder Yeshivot

Rabbi Mintz on Jewish History - Glimpses into the religious Lives of Early Modern European Jewry

Today there are almost 70 Hesder Yeshivot in Israel which combine yeshiva learning and army service. Although there is a debate about the exact origins of the Hesder movement, the idea of integrating learning and service in the IDF originated 10-20 years after the founding of the State of Israel. This lecture will explore the challenges and criticisms of the Hesder movement especially within certain segments of the Religious Zionist community. It will conclude with an explanation of the challenges and benefits of Hesder written by Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein