Captain Rabbi Yehuda Weitzman, a 34 year old Gur Hasid and father of three from Jerusalem, left the yeshiva study hall to enlist in full military service in 2018. Serving in the Hashmonaim Brigade, he said he was motivated by a desire to connect with all parts of Israeli society, describing the army as a place of unity without class divisions or politics.

On October 7 he was deployed to the Gaza region and later assigned to handle casualties at Camp Shura, an experience he described as emotionally overwhelming and formative. He went on to serve as a battalion rabbi in combat brigades operating in Gaza and Lebanon, but felt he was supporting from the sidelines rather than fully participating in the fighting.

When the Haredi Hashmonaim Brigade was established, Weitzman gave up a promotion and restarted combat training from the beginning, despite already holding the rank of captain. He said the decision allowed him to become a true combat soldier rather than a supporter. Alongside his service, he has organized fundraising efforts within the ultra Orthodox community, citing broad support for soldiers, and says he draws inspiration from fallen rabbi and soldier Avi Goldberg, whom he seeks to emulate as both a spiritual and combat leader.