Jerusalem – In a strongly worded letter published in a Yated Ne’eman newspaper today, a prominent ultra-Orthodox leader dismissed outright any possibility of a compromise on proposed plans for drafting Haredi men.
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HAARETZ (http://bit.ly/131tIb1) is reporting that Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman, a prominent leader of the non-Hasidic Lithuanian sector of the Haredi community, responded publicly for the first time to ongoing attempts to win Haredi parties’ support for moderate draft proposals.
“Torah study is basic to our vitality and our role in life,” said Shteinman. “If it is taken away from us, that will be the greatest disaster since we will not be able to do God’s will properly.”
Shteinman’s letter was in response to recent draft proposals, such as the one drawn up by Prof. Eugene Kandel and officially adopted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Yesh Atid and Habayit Hayehudi parties both rejected that proposal as ‘too lenient.’
Shteinman also rejected the plan, saying that his position is now ‘binding’ based on United Torah Judaism.
Shteinman closed the door on any further talks of compromise, calling military service ‘unthinkable by its very nature,’ and he hinted that attempts to draft ultra-Orthodox men stem from a desire to change the Haredi lifestyle rather than from national necessity.
“The very act of living in the army framework causes terrible spiritual danger…and this is the opposite of the way we bring up our sons,” wrote Shteinman. “We ask the government to leave us alone and not try to change us, and allow us to continue to live our own way. There can be no compromise on this matter.”
We shall all say the brahca Hatov Vehomeitiv, that our gedoilim are still ready for mesiras nefesh and to teach us to be moiser nefesh, not to let to compromise on anything that has to do with Yiddishkeit. Le’ts look on the reform and remember how it started. It started with a few small “changes” where did they get? Today we hear from frum orthodox people who call for compromising with the torah. We have to stay strong and not move away an inch.
ברוך אלקינו שבראנו לכבודו והבדלנו מן התועים ונתן לנו תורת “אמת” – אמת היא כמות שהוא בלי שום שינויים.
Just wish that with every response we of the mitzva-observant community give about the Draft, we explain, teach, emphasize how Torah is protection and inspiration for all Jews. This debate is a chance to educate about what Torah is and to spread Torah.
“We ask the government to leave us alone and not try to change us, and allow us to continue to live our own way.”
We ask the black hats and shtreimels to leave us alone, and not try to spit on our daughters and not throw rocks at us and not make fraudulent claims for funding and not harass our women on the busses.
It’s gevaldig to have leaders who don’t compromise on Torah, no matter how strong coercion from the unjust antisemitic regime.
What is thr compromise on the torah if people serve in the army?
Rabbi Shteinman was the one who lent his support for the Nachal Chareidi, so he is not completely against the army. But he seems to be against the socialization of the army. That is how the secular army (tries to) make every one into one of them.
amazing is the Torah learning of 18-22 years old only valid. what about the Torah learning of all the others?
The Torah says go to the army maybe they have a different Torah the Torah talks about wars and warriors not torah scholars wonder why?
yes leave us alone take no money make no demands from the secular society. allow buses on shabbos let people do what they want, then maybe we have deal? you demand much from others but are taken back that others ask a little in return.
Maybe R’ Shteinman was influenced by outside people; he has till this point been very even handed on the matter. Maybe the chilonim and datei leumi shouldnt serve either, why is their blood cheaper?
Does “…leave us alone” also mean do not fund us. We will fund ourselves. The Haradi world keeps on missing the point. As they say on the farm, if you want to dance, you’ve got to pay the piper. Who’s paying the piper? Nobody wants to uproot their way of life! What is being asked is to take responsibility.
So – kal v’chomer – I guess this also includes a ban on having a job and making a parnassa?
So far Bibi was helpful and aiding the haredi comunuty.
But I see the circumstances within the new formation of his next gov swinging more to the left.
I aplaud the gedoilim for being so involved.
But it should be made clear this ptur(exemtion) is only for real Yeshiva bochrim!!!
2: I find it should be a Yisochar-Zvulun pakt between us one protects hysically and one spirutally….
‘Tis indeed the season of v’nahafoch hu when the people who claim to speak in the name of Torah don’t bother to read it – there is no exemption from war in the Torah for lomdei Torah, no matter how much this generation and its gedolim have red zich ein that there is.
The article said: “he hinted that attempts to draft ultra-Orthodox men stem from a desire to change the Haredi lifestyle rather than from national necessity.”
Does this mean that in a case of “national necessity” (however he would define it), Rav Shteinman, shlit”a, would rule differently about Chareidi conscription into the armed forces?
Hypothetically, if the answer to that question is ‘yes’, then wouldn’t it be prudent to find a way to provide them with military training before such a crisis arises, r”l?
Couldn’t the military provide a suitable environment limiting the “spiritual danger” he refers to while also readying those drafted to perform as required should the need arise? It sounds like a compromise is possible, provided those in decision-making positions (eg, the military, the government, the Chareidi leaders, etc) have the desire to do so.
If, r”l, war breaks out, everyone – including civilians – could be in mortal danger, a situation potentially far worse than the “army framework” that concerns him.
i think the debate is people in israel are so sick of charadim..since charadim throw rocks, curse policman calling them nazis…fighting with woman harrassing them, spitting and throwing rocks at woman ect the list goes on and on…pople despise charaidim…can we blame them….the most important thing is for charadim to live up to a higher standard the way they should live…then the israeli people would have respect for them and honor our life style.
btw not to mention the shasniks,,,every week they are cursing someone else…serious people loose respect when they see the leaders of shas stating time again and again stupid and hurtful remarks…that not the way of torah.
The major point that the Rav said was THAT THEY DON’T NEED OUR SERVICES, THEY ONLY WANT TO SECULARIZE THE YESHIVA BOYS. they don’t accommodate the needs of our boys.
Charedim should offer to complete National Service. There is a lot of infrastructure that needs repair. Let them dig ditches, rebuild walls and fences and generally make themselves useful.
Come on, have some feeling for these regular Heimishe young Bochurum. How could you force them to go into such danger. Any Godol B’Torah, would faint if he ever sees a Gishmakeh Heimishe boy having to go into a Mamish Sekonoh.
How sad how very very sad. Their way of life will be changed. yes and the family who loses a child in war also has their life changed. And the child who doesnt want o give up 3 years to go tot he army also has his way of life changed. Perhaps a life which asks others to sacrifice their lives and their way of life isa life that should be changed.
I am a frum jew who learns 9 hours a day and works during the rest of my day. I dont understand the chareidi life. Sorry.
Whyy is it acceptable for secular Israelis to serve in the army. Why is your blood thicker than theirs. When the state was founded and there was 400 talmidim learning torah and exemtion was made because ben gurion recognized that Torah is a part of the Jewish nation. However in this case nobody is stopping Torah. If torah so clearly protects just like the army, then like a previous poster wrote, let the bochurim go to front lines without protection and study Gemara. During a time of war let the older men and younger bochurim learn and let the 18 year olds go to the army or at the very least do civil service!!!