Army Settles Case; Allows Jewish Chaplain To Enlist and Keep Beard

Chabad.org reports that the U.S. Army has settled the lawsuit filed against it by Rabbi Menachem Stern who was not permitted to become a military chaplain because he refused for religious reasons to shave his beard. (See prior posting.) Stern claimed that the refusal to grant him an exemption from the grooming provisions violated his free exercise and equal protection rights. The Army has now relented and has approved him for a reserve commission. He will be sworn in on Friday and will head to chaplain school in January. JTA reports that the swearing-in will be streamed live by the Alef Institute.  Stern hopes to request active duty after he completes his chaplaincy training.  There is currently a shortage of Jewish chaplains in the military. Only 9 Army rabbis are on active duty, and there are only 37 Jewish chaplains in all the armed services, including the reserves.  Many Chabad rabbis would be willing to serve as chaplains if they could obtain an exemption that allows them to continue to wear a beard.  Stern's case may set a precedent for doing so.