Battalion – Blending Jewish Identity with Military Service
In recent years, the IDF has expanded combat service frameworks for the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, creating opportunities to serve while staying true to Torah values and tradition. Within this vision, the Netzach Yehuda (Hashmonaim) Battalion was established.
This unique battalion represents a rare integration of deep Jewish commitment with meaningful military service. It demonstrates how religious identity and national responsibility can come together, side by side. Along with the demanding reality of combat service, there is also a growing need for social and emotional support frameworks for these soldiers. Here is where Beit Eli, an organization dedicated to Lone Soldiers, steps in — creating a warm, empowering home environment. The partnership between the Hashmonaim Battalion and Beit Eli is a powerful example of how the army, community, and civil society can unite for the well-being of both the soldiers and Israeli society as a whole.
What is the Hashmonaim Battalion?
The Hashmonaim Battalion (Unit 613) is a regular infantry unit in the IDF, designed to enable Haredi soldiers to serve in combat while maintaining a religious lifestyle.
The central training base, Machaneh Tzomet Maccabim (Tivtz Base), was upgraded with facilities adapted to the needs of religious soldiers: synagogues, strictly kosher kitchens, and conditions that allow for full observance of Jewish law during service.
Core values of the battalion include:
- Preserving full religious and Haredi identity during combat service.
- High-level training (Rifleman 07) and participation in active operations.
- Creating a strong community of fighters with deep bonds and shared values.
The name “Hashmonaim” carries historic meaning — evoking generations of Jewish courage, freedom, and identity. Each soldier feels part of the larger story of Am Yisrael.
Lone Soldiers in the Hashmonaim Battalion – Challenge and Opportunity
Among those who join the Hashmonaim Battalion are Lone Soldiers — young men who immigrated to Israel without family, or those who enlist despite difficult personal circumstances.
For them, the battalion provides more than just a military framework; it offers a supportive and value-driven community. While the challenges of serving alone — without family warmth or an anchor — are significant, the opportunity is equally great: to be part of a battalion that understands their needs and connects them to a wider circle of social and emotional support.
The Connection Between the Hashmonaim Battalion and Beit Eli
For years, Beit Eli has supported Lone Soldiers with warmth, guidance, and a sense of belonging beyond their army duties.
For soldiers of the Hashmonaim Battalion, this connection becomes especially meaningful:
- Shabbat hospitality and community weekends for Lone Soldiers serving in the battalion.
- Adoptive families that open their homes and hearts, offering a true sense of family.
- Community gatherings and holiday events, bridging the gap between military life and broader Israeli society.
Through Beit Eli, soldiers discover that they are not just fighters on the battlefield, but part of a larger family of Am Yisrael that appreciates and strengthens them.
Why Is This Connection So Important?
The partnership between the Hashmonaim Battalion and Beit Eli has far-reaching meaning:
- Soldiers of the battalion give their best for the security of the nation — from a place of faith, identity, and mission.
- Beit Eli gives them the social foundation, the feeling that they are never alone, and the chance to come “home” — not just to a base, but to a family and community.
It’s a winning combination: military strength alongside social warmth, security framework together with values and belonging.
Summary
The Netzach Yehuda (Hashmonaim) Battalion is one of the strongest symbols of the link between Jewish identity and Israel’s defense. Its fighters prove that values and action do not need to be separated — they can be combined.
At the same time, Beit Eli ensures that these soldiers receive the personal and communal support they need, turning their service into not only a national mission but also a deeply personal journey of growth and belonging. The partnership between the Hashmonaim Battalion and Beit Eli reflects the strength of Israel itself: the merging of army, community, and identity — empowering the soldier and uplifting society as a whole
