Like other 18-year-old boys, Oriyahu Butler is preparing to go into the army this summer, but unlike the others, he is the first member of his community to serve.

Butler is a member of the African Hebrew Israelites of Jerusalem, a group which believes they are direct descendants of the ancient Israelites. In 1969, under the guidance of spiritual leader Ben-Ammi Ben-Israel, 400 Hebrew Israelites arrived in Israel, where their legal status has been a point of debate ever since. The group is now based in Dimona, where there are about 1,500 members.

The group adheres to its own set of rules: They are strictly vegan, wear only clothes made of natural fiber, and allow polygamy. They also observe the traditional Jewish holidays in addition to a two-day celebration in May which commemorates the exodus from America.

Because they are not considered Jewish according to traditional Halacha, the Hebrew Israelites, or Black Hebrews as they were previously known, were not granted citizenship under the Law of Return. They were granted permanent resident status last year. Now, 70 youths are planning to enlist in the army by this coming March.

Butler's induction process was sped up by the fact that, unlike his peers, he is an Israeli citizen. Butler's mother, Elianah Puller, is Jewish.

The daughter of a Dutch Holocaust survivor and African-American man, Puller was born in Eilat where she lived for a couple of years before going to live with her father's side of the family in the United States. She moved back to Israel by herself when she was 16, two years before her family moved to Israel, and she herself was in the army.

Puller discovered the community in Dimona while on duty when she heard about their music.

Despite his different legal status, Butler faces the same concerns other Hebrew Israelites face as they enlist.

Some of the most pressing problems include their strict diet and the tradition of not cutting their hair. "I'm sure that [the army] can find something I can eat," said Butler, "I'm never going to eat meat in my entire life. I think being a vegan is going to make me a better soldier."

It seems that the length of his hair may pose the biggest hurdle. In accordance with Israelite Hebrew tradition, Butler has never cut his hair. According to IDF tradition, he may have to. "[We] are still working on a solution," said Butler. "I am going to keep my hair in real small braids... Our community really doesn't allow us to cut our hair; I'm just trying to stay by rules."

Still, Butler does not believe that he will have to compromise his values. "It's really not going to affect me," he said, "I'm just going into the army, doing what I am told to do, and when I get back, I'll go back to my community."

His parents share his belief that he will be able to hold on to his tradition, but they still worry. "My greatest concern is his hair," said Puller, "other than that, I know he'll be all right. If there was any way I knew he could be in the army and keep his hair braided and long, I would be happy."

Still, Avraham Butler, Oriyahu's father and a spokesman for the Hebrew Israelite community, acknowledges the authority of the army. "We are not going into the army to dictate to the army what they have to do," the older Butler said. "The kids have the understanding that the army will dictate to them what to do."

Butler's status as the first Hebrew Israelite to enlist in the IDF has brought him a lot of media attention. While Butler is ambivalent about the hype, he and his parents understand the greater significance of his July 29 draft date.

"It's an honor for the community," said Puller. "We've been here for almost 40 years, and the status is an honor. My prayer is that all this attention he is getting will only help [in] allowing him to be a bridge between our community and the greater Israeli society, so that we can all work together and somehow bring peace."

Avraham Butler added that the time has come for the community to play its role and to pay its dues to the country. While Butler, like other Israeli parents, is concerned for the safety of his son, he also hopes that Oriyahu and the other Hebrew Israelites who are going to serve will help move the citizenship process forwards.

"I'm praying that [serving in] the army is the last phase in Israel recognizing us as citizens," he said. "It seems to me that would be the final call."