JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Realizing that public opinion will not currently allow for a draft deferment law for all charedim, the charedi parties are now setting preconditions for a revised Draft Law. The parties insist that even after the new law passes, each young man should be able to choose whether to remain in yeshiva or not, according to a Yisrael Hayom report.
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The report added that the haredi parties oppose the Draft Law submitted by Minister Benny Gantz (National Unity), according to which an enlistment manager would decide who serves and in which program, even if there is an option for civilian service adapted for charedi society.
It was also reported that the principle accepted by most charedi MKs and the various factions of the charedi parties is that each young man who wishes to learn Torah should be able to do so. From the perspective of the charedi parties, negating the right of a charedi man to continue learning Torah in yeshiva is essentially the cancellation of the idea of the yeshiva world.
Coalition members are currently discussing submitting a bill which includes aggressive enlistment goals for those charedim who are not learning in yeshivas – and there are a significant number of such men. It is estimated that in the coming month, a legislative timeline will be presented for a Draft Law with goals for enlistment. According to coalition sources, such a bill could be approved by the Attorney General, in light of the conditional order issued by the Supreme Court demanding that the government explain, by the end of March, why it should not begin drafting charedim and why the State needs to fund yeshivas if there is no Draft Law.
The coalition parties are also not concerned about Defense Minister Yoav Gallant’s statement that he will only advance a Draft Law which Gantz also agrees to support, as he is also amenable to a negotiated deal with the charedi parties.
So long as this doesn’t end up meaning that yeshivas will end up bloated with draft dodgers who don’t really want to be there. In my years in yeshiva I saw enough guys who didn’t really want to be there and spent their entire time batteling and sleeping through seder that we as a society can’t justify supporting a yeshiva that spends a significant portion of its budget accommodating that.
If the govt thinks they can suceeed by force and mandates they are dreaming. You will never succeed. You can’t lock up 100,000 charedim.
This is the end R”L – Sold by the Erev Rav of the knesset – 120 false Gods. All reshayims.
The govt need to work with charedim building off the unity that Oct 7 brought.
This bill is the very definition of a Red Herring – there are literally scores of reservists who are begging to join the fight against Hamas in Gaza are are being told to stay home. Just more nonsense to divide us against one another.
Cutting funding won’t scare charedim because there are are many charedi billionaires’ in the USA already. And you can only cut a limited amount of money. You can’t cut stipends to poor families with one working parent as that would be discrimination. (Just like the USA can’t cut food stamps to kollel guys). As they say ein mah lasot.
I happen to admire the bravery of the IDF soldiers. Really special people who care deeply about their fellow Jews and their country. But… the following needs to be said: It is way harder and laudable to sit and learn with true hasmada, ameilus, and to accomplish greatly in learning. Anyone who denies that – has never done it nor were they properly exposed to the great Bnei Yeshiva. I have friends who are IDF soldiers. Yes they are brave but they enjoy what they do. They trained for this for years and are happy to defend Eretz Yisroel. They do not see it as a big sacrifice. Offer them to instead sit and learn 8 – 10 hours a day with hasmada and yigiya. Most would turn you down. And those that would try would give up after some time. The current status quo is a win win for everybody who appreciates what the Yeshivos do for Klal Yisroel.
Torah Study needs to be designated as a national service!!!!
chareidim will NEVER EVER serve in the IDF.
How about standardized tests for those learning in Yeshiva. You fail, you get drafted.
“essentially the cancellation of the idea of the yeshiva world”
That is a pretty modern concept by Jewish standards. Until late modern times, most Jews would work for a living and study Torah when they weren’t working. Only the elite were full time learners and they were groomed for leadership positions within the community. Today in the Dati Leumi community there are many programs that combine yeshiva study with military service.
Peleg should no longer be allowed any exemption from army, in recognition of their ferocious blockage of streets & highways
I am a Breslov. Can I be Yoitzeh by learning the Breslov Seforim all day? I also like the Sipeirei Masiyois from Breslov. I can also learn Chumash and say Tenaach. Anything better than fighting Hezbolla