The Hesder Yeshivot boasting thousands of students is a symbol of the ultimate balance of religious zionism balancing commitment to Torah studies and service in the Army.

In 1981, Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion, in the journal ''Tradition'' entitled ''The Ideology of Hesder,'' explained the ideological basis for the Hesder program. He writes:

"Hesder at its finest seeks to attract and develop ''bnei torah'' ("religious individuals") who are profoundly motivated by the desire to become serious ''talmidei hachamim'' ("religiously learned, knowledgeable") but who concurrently feel morally and religiously bound to help defend their people and their country; who, given the historical exigencies of their time and place, regard this dual commitment as both a privilege and a duty; who, in comparison with their non-hesder ''confreres'' love not Torah less but Israel more. It provides a context within which students can focus upon enhancing their personal spiritual and intellectual growth while yet heeding the call to public service, and it thus enables them to maintain an integrated Jewish existence. "

Browse through these pages and learn about this illustrious movement.