Mar 12, 2026
Interesting Psak: serving with women in armored vehicles
Recently reporesentaives of the Dati Leumi community, especially rabbonim in the ocmmunity, have made a big deal about an army logistical change in which female soldiers are being taken to serve in the armored corps, most notably in hummers and namers. They are generally serving in these vehicles as either drivers or paramedics. Traditionally the armored corps is a division that the Dati Leumi community frequently sent its soldiers, especially hesder students, to serve in. The community reps, especially the rabbonim see this as a breach of tzniyus and have basically considered this a "breach of contract" of sorts (figuratively speaking) with the dati leumi community, and if necessary they will instruct their students to serve in other divisions instead.
On this topic, INN brings a psak from Rav Dovid Fendel, Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva Hesder Sderot, after being asked by some soldiers what to do in such a situation, would they be able to be in the vehicle when the hummer driver is a female or if a female paramedic is assigned to their armored vehicle, etc..
Rav Fendel, with other rabbonim of the yeshiva, said that the Rama is lenient about yichud in certain situations (specifically 1 woman with 3 men present) but in today's reality it would be difficult to rely on this - the Ramas leniency is when the people involved are kosher and not "prutzim" but today we are all exposed to inappropriate content online so it would be difficult to meet the standards of kosher for this leniency to apply.
Additionally, the reality of the situation is that other problems also exist, such as being in the vehicle for long periods of time would lead to violation prohibitions of looking at women, joking and talking with women and inappropriate thoughts.
The rabbonim said that from what they have been told by many soldiers in these situations, being in these situations of a crowded and cramped military vehicle and how at times it can be difficult to avoid even physical contact, among the other problems already mentioned. Therefore, Rav Fendel and the rabbonim have pasked for their soldiers to avoid these situations. A soldier caught in such a situation should complain to his commander and to the IDF Rabbinate to not allow such yichud. EVen in times of war this is a problem as in times of war and great distress, more safeguarding of the holiness of the camp is warranted..
Similarly, Srugim brings a similar psak from Rav Aviner, though not form a yichud perspective, makng it slightly different than Rav Fendel's psak.
Rav Aviner was asked about the same situation - 3 religious soldiers serving in a hummer with a female soldier as a paramedic or driver, what should they do?
Rav Aviner responded that this is not allowed but not really from a yichud perspective. The issue of yichud does not really apply. The issue really is one of "gas libo" - when people are familiar and confortable with each ther after spending time together and experiencing experiences together (such as in an army vehicle possibly experiencing some harrowing circumstances).
The problem here is less yichud and more the issues of looking at women, talking and joking with women. When serving many hours of the day together in a ttight army vehicle, these situations would be unavoidable.
Practically speaking, Rav Aviner said this situation should be stopped right away. Religious soldiers cannot let themselves be in such a situation. They should request to not serve with a female paramedic/driver. If the commanders ignore these requests, the soldiers should respond saying these instructions are in contradiction to the terms of the shared service agreement. If the commanders continue to force them to serve like this, they should refuse to serve, even at the price of being thrown in the brig.
If this situation is made permanent, the soldiers should be told to not induct to those units and more.
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