A Charedi Reassessment of the Military?

Not long ago, I detected a subtle but revolutionary change of opinion about Charedim in Israel serving in the IDF, Israel’s military. It was an offhand comment by one of the two top leaders in the Charedi world. Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch told an American philanthropist that he supported drafting Charedim who are not engaged in full-time religious study.

I noted at the time that this comment demolished the long standing primary objection to military service. Which was based on the belief that the army was little more than a medium for disabusing religious Jews from their religious beliefs and practices. That was never the purpose of the army. (Although some of the more radical socialist founders did in fact see that as a secondary ‘benefit’.)

But since the advent of Nachal Charedi units that cater to the special needs of the Charedi recruit, that argument no longer has any sway. Even though there was pushback in the sense that those units did not live up to their billing, that too has been discredited. To the extent that it might not be up to full par in that department, IDF brass has indicated complete willingness, even eagerness to do whatever it takes to get it there.

Understandably there was a lot of skepticism expressed about this supposed change of heart – considering the strident opposition and willingness to forego decades long massive financial support from the government by defying the new draft law. The reaction to this news by a lot of people was disbelief. That story was made up. Or that it was a mistaken impression by the philanthropist who reported it.

Some just accused that philanthropist of being a practiced liar because he had been convicted of defrauding the government in a tax evasion scheme. But I argued (and still do) that even ex-cons might have values ​​they share with the rest of us and do not automatically lie about projects that are meaningful to them. They are not all pure scoundrels.

The philanthropist’s support for Nachal Charedi is probably what generated a discussion with Rav Hirsch about it. He merely reported what he heard. Why would he lie – knowing he could be disproved in a flash by merely asking Rav Hirsch directly about it?

That said, I’m sure there are still a lot of skeptics out there. Well now Rav Dov Landau (Lando) – the other top Charedi Rabbinic leader has weighed in albeit in an indirect way. As noted in the Jerusalem Post about an address he gave to students at Yeshivas Mir:

Rabbi Lando’s words hold enormous influence, and this evening would be no different. He began, as expected, with a firm and familiar declaration: “No yeshiva student, no avrech (married Torah scholar), will go to the army, under no circumstances.”

But for those closely listening, something about the address felt different. While the rabbi’s message seemed unchanged, the subtleties were impossible to ignore. The speech was not just about keeping yeshiva students out of the army; it was about the shifting ground beneath their feet. Rabbi Lando’s silence on those outside the yeshiva—those working illegally or lingering on the margins—was telling. Without making it explicit, the message was clear: if you’re not in yeshiva, maybe it’s time you serve.

As the article also noted, other Charedi leaders have expressed similar sentiments. And as I have indicated in the past, I have spoken to Charedi Yeshiva Rebbeim (who are in the trenches so to speak). who privately told me that not everyone who is registered in a Yeshiva ought to be there.

(It is with that last item in mind that I have the following questions. If this becomes policy will some Charedim use enrollment in a Yeshiva just to dodge the draft? Will there be more scrutiny about who is enrolled and why?)

There is also this piece of encouraging news from ArutzSheva:

Chedvata, the first-ever haredi Hesder Yeshiva, has enrolled over 400 students this year.

A Hesder Yeshiva is a Torah studying institute for after high-school, which combines Torah studies and army service.

Founded eight years ago by Haredim, Chedvata is beginning to have an impact on the Haredi community, strengthening the future of Israel.

I have said many times that there is no ethical way that every single Charedi youth should be exempt from the army. If you are going to live in a country that requires its people to be citizens/soldiers, every segment must participate. Exempting an entire segment is unjust in that -during a war – it allows others to do the dying for you. And the families of those required to serve worry about them while the families of those exempted don’t have to even think about it.

At no time has this been more relevant than over the past year. At no time was there so much frustration and anger by families of those who serve against a community that has been entirely exempted from serving.

What I have also said is that even though Charedim should be required to serve, there is room for exemptions in their community just as there are exemptions in other communities. What percentages should be exempt is a matter that can be worked out between the government and the Charedi parties in the Knesset under the guidance of their leaders. (Which has always been the case.)

In my view what is most important is to give the IDF the manpower it needs. And that the Charedi community ought to be part of that equation.

Based on the two aforementioned articles, I think the top two Charedi leaders may have actually had a change of heart about this.

This is a tiny step in the right direction. A direction that can hopefully lead to reversing the trend of animosity between those who contribute in a material way to the welfare of the nation and those who are perceived to not contribute anything. We have along way to go. But at least it seems that we have changed direction. At least I hope we have.