JERUSALEM (JTA) — A new program will allow yeshiva students in Israel to extend their army service and shorten their Torah studies.
Launched this week, the four-year program offered to young men studying at Hesder yeshiva, which combines Torah studies with army service, includes two years of army service and two years of study. The existing five-year program combines 18 months of army service and 3 1/2 years of study. The programs will operate at the same time.
Some yeshiva heads said Wednesday that the new program was designed to accommodate a growing number of young religious men who want a religious framework but are not cut out to be Torah scholars, the Jerusalem Post reported.
