Footage circulated on Monday on social media has reignited the public debate over the conscription of charedim into the Israeli army and sparked anger among reservists.

In the video, published on the charedi channel “HaPargod”, the head of the Orayta Yeshiva, Rabbi David Shaffer, is seen raising a glass in a “L’chaim” toast at Ben Gurion Airport after successfully putting about 90 yeshiva students on a flight for the traditional trip to the tomb of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk in Poland for his Yahrzeit during the ongoing war.

הפרגוד: ראש ישיבת “אורייתא” הרב דוד שפר שותה לחיים בשדה התעופה על שהצליח להעלות לטיסה 90 בחורים לנסיעה המסורתית לליזענסק כמידי שנה למרות המלחמה. pic.twitter.com/DrDJd4BorG

— הפרגוד (@moshepargod) March 9, 2026

Following the publication, criticism erupted on social media. Dozens of users, including reservists, strongly criticized both the trip itself and its timing during wartime, arguing that it highlights the sense of inequality in the burden between those serving in the military and parts of the public who do not participate in the fighting.

Bereaved mother Lily Dery responded by posting Rabbi Elimelech’s prayer “Aderaba”, which includes the line:“And let no hatred arise from one person toward another, Heaven forbid,” adding the comment: “Those who understand will understand.”

Communications adviser Dvir Luzon, who is currently serving in the reserves, wrote:

“I was called up to reserve duty. I left at home a wife who is still recovering from childbirth and a one-month-old baby, and I have no idea when I’ll see them again.”

He added: “But the main thing is that Rabbi David Shefer flew 90 guys abroad for a vacation. While we’re suffocating from longing and our wives are collapsing alone, there are those living in a movie and hanging out in duty-free. It’s a spit in the face of every reservist. Simply disgraceful.”

Comedian Matan Tzur also reacted to the publication, writing:“This fracture, one that parts of the charedi sector are creating with their own hands, I don’t know how we will fix it.”