JERUSALEM (JTA) — An Israeli army rabbi has refused to recognize Conservative Jewish soldiers as religious Jews.
The rabbi of the Nahal infantry brigade has forbidden the troops belonging to the Conservative, or Masorti, movement from growing beards for religious reasons, Ha’aretz reported, citing Army Radio.
As of April, a new order permits soldiers to grow beards only for religious or medical reasons.
The Conservative soldiers were told they were not given the permit for religious reasons because the rabbi did not recognize their stream of Judaism, Ha’aretz quoted Army Radio as reporting.
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