The Israel Defense Forces has reiterated its ban on kippot that have writing on them, specifically noting that Chabad followers who have insisted on wearing so-called “Yechi” yarmulkes in the military may not do so.
IDF Bans Chabad Messianist Yarmulkes
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
The Israel Defense Forces has reiterated its ban on kippot that have writing on them, specifically noting that Chabad followers who have insisted on wearing so-called “Yechi” yarmulkes in the military may not do so, Yeshiva World reports, citing a report on the Ladaat news website.
The Chabad yarmules have the slogan “yechi adonaynu moreynu v’rabbaynu melech hamoshiach l’olam va’ed,” “long live our master our teacher our rabbi king messiah forever and ever” embroidered or printed on them.
The IDF generally allows yarmulkes of any size, color or material to be worn [except in some specific combat situations], but bans any writing on them.
Because of the number of ba'al teshuvas, people born to secular or non-Orthodox families who have become Orthodox through Chabad's missionary activity, there are many more Chabad followers in the IDF than is normal for haredi groups.
[Hat Tip: The Lion.]