Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi: Excuse religious soldiers from events where women sing

[SecularMotion]

Israel Defense Forces soldiers whose religious beliefs don't allow them to listen to women sing should have the right to be excused from attending such events, Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger said in a halakhic ruling disseminated on Monday.

His entry into the fray follows Sunday's comments by IDF Chief Rabbi Rafi Peretz, who expressed support for the religious cadets who walked out of an IDF heritage event several weeks ago after a mixed group of male and female vocalists took the stage. Four of the nine cadets were expelled when they refused to express remorse for their actions.

Peretz will soon issue his own halakhic opinion on the matter to IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz. The army will then issue explicit regulations on the issue.

In response to Peretz's comments, the IDF Spokesman subsequently clarified that the rabbi strongly condemns any refusal to follow orders, and his expression of support related only to the five cadets who apologized and were therefore not expelled from the course.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/ashkenazi-chief-rabbi-excuse-religious-soldiers-from-events-where-women-sing-1.386904

[abq e streeter]

1. As a Jew, it's unfortunately no surprise that our fundies are idiots too.

[aquart]

4. All fanatics are identical.

[David Sky]

6. I've never met an atheist that doesn't love the sound of a singing woman's voice!

Even if the women are singing religious songs like "Amazing Grace"!

[Meshuga]

7. And that's only a small example of their idiocy n/t

[Me.]

2. Not Allowed To Listen To Women Sing....

Certain men in this world really need to get over themselves

[LeftishBrit]

3. Isn't it great ...

that the world in general, and Israel in particular, are now so peaceful and safe that the biggest problem that their soldiers need to worry about is whether they get exposed to singing women?

[mike_c]

5. more religious insanity....

eom