By Rajini Vaidyanathan
BBC News, Washington
A Jewish rabbi is suing the US Army for refusing to let him serve unless he removes his beard. The US military, as well as many police forces across America, require recruits to be clean shaven. But what is wrong with sporting a beard in the line of duty?
… Serving members of the US Army, Navy and Marine Corps may qualify for a “shaving waiver” if they suffer from medical conditions that make shaving difficult or painful, but still have to keep any facial hair short.
The beard ban has meant some Muslims, Sikhs and Hasidic Jews have been unable to sign up for duty.
“I was told my application to join the army would only be accepted if I shaved off my beard,” says Menachem Stern, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, from the Chabad Lubavitch Community, who applied to join the army as a chaplain in 2008.
The 29-year-old is suing the US Army for refusing him the right to keep his beard, on the grounds of his religious beliefs.
“This is a tenet of our faith – it’s not optional not to have one in our community.
“Could you imagine any of the great sages – whether Abraham, Isaac or Jacob – clean shaven?” he says.
Rabbi Stern’s case has been taken up by New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand who has written to the army secretary asking for the beard policy to be modified for chaplains.
In recent years, shaving waivers have been issued for some applicants, and not for others. According to Mr Stern’s lawyer, Nathan Lewin, three Sikhs have been given permission to keep their beards since 2009.
Back in 1976 Mr Lewin fought a case on behalf of a bearded rabbi who wanted to serve in the US Air Force, and won. He’s disappointed to be having the same battle all over again.
“I would like to be able to say that government agencies are becoming more accepting of various aspects of appearance but frankly Rabbi Stern’s experience with the US Army leads me to conclude that there are still very strong restrictions that the people who have control over these institutions are imposing.”
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12740975?print=true
he has a beard because the policy is that any one who got permission before 1985 to wear a beard can continue as long as they want. but from 1985 there is no new permission given except rare exceptions.
just trying to figure out…what o you mean how does an orthodox jew do basic training? they do ABSOLUTELY everything everyone else does without excepions. my ex-boyfriend is in the army and does absolutely everything that is expected of him. NO EXCEPTIONS! and yes he is an orthodox jew as well
Hes doing the right thing, preventing this from happening again, I wish him only revealed good!
if any lawyer only sits on one case they would b out of a job. hope that helped clarify your misunderstanding
You mean Segelman. I’ve personally met him, so I’m sure it’s not Goldstein!
Goldstein is a Chaplain, is he not? He has a beard, does he not? Something doesn’t add up???!!!
I hope this doesn’t jeopardize Nat’s commitment to Sholom Rubashkin’s case. Also, how does a frum Jew do basic training? Just asking.
you are making a kidush hashem