Tzahal vs. Kahal
This blog will always reflect the honest opinion of the author. The political position of "The Shunam Shindig" is to research multiple perspectives and be open-minded, yet skeptic. Our mission is to demonstrate an endless curiosity in pursuit of knowledge.
Discussion: IDF: Mandatory draft: Who, when, why yes?
The Dilemma:
Anti-occupation/ sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians: Shovrim Shtika, Betzelem.
Women:
1. More difficult to follow religious laws of shabbos, kosher ect. outside of a more sheltered environment. In a rough and tumble military environment modesty standards can be difficult to uphold and it is a psychological and religious danger to sexual ethics and human dignity.
2. The most important factor for the survival of a society is bringing the next generation into the world and raising them with love and ethics. Most aspects of this role can only be done by women and woman are most skilled in this sphere of influence. Exposure to the danger of war can jeopardize their ability and distract from their core mission.
3. Women statistically are physically weaker than men. It is the moral duty of the men in a society to protect the vulnerable and not put them in the line of fire.
Anti-Zionist religious: secular and christian roots to modern day Zionism.
Exposure to values that contradict a g-d fearing lifestyle: videos, depraved sexual ethics, immodestly dressed women, non-kosher food.
Takes away from the time, effort and ability for men to devote themselves to Torah study.
Jewish religious tradition of independence from government. Yeshiva in Russia- Yeshiva of Volozhin- the ruler of Russia allowed the school to remain open with certain academic requirements. The Yeshiva closed is doors rather than follow the dictates of an outside - non-Rabbinic authority.
Options: (Based on family, community, personality and opinion.)
1. Pretend to be mentally ill.
2. Apply for temporary deferment as a full time Yeshiva student (until aged out.)
3. Dodge the draft and risk arrest.
4. Serve community service in a religious environment such as Yad Sarah, Zakkah, Hatzolo, ect.
5. For religious women sign a declaration of religious observance and/or
6. Serve community service in a recognized national service program.
The following paragraphs are notes from my initial research and interviews.
On the street interviews:
Soldier #1: This soldier did not understand why Chareidim get a pass. He also believes that the mandatory draft is necessary. A voluntary force like the US would not be sufficient because Israel is surrounded by existential threats. However, the army does have enough soldiers, in his opinion, with just the secular and religious Zionist population, and therefore forcibly drafting the chareidim even though it would be more fair) is unnecessary and would just give the army tons of untrained and unneeded soldiers. He did specify again that he did not understand why the chareidim could not serve and what was so important with what they were busy doing all day.
Store clerk- Zionist Immigrant: Did not serve due to the age he immigrated, he does not understand why Chareidim get a pass. He does not understand why it is important for them to study Torah all day and it seems unfair to him that they enjoy the benefits of citizenship and the protection of the IDF but do not feel responsible to contribute. When informed that some Chareidim entirely refuse government stipends such as the "Maternity Package" and other institutions do not receive government "higher education" stipends, he was surprised and did not know how to respond. The fact that there is no uniformity made it difficult to make a judgement (each community adopts a different practice and there is even diversity within each communities on what to take, how much, for what, should men work? Does the wife work? ect.)
Also has strong criticism for the violence and destruction at protests- the traffic, spitting, name calling, garbage upheaval. Considers it a disgrace.
Female Bus Passenger: Disagreed with mandatory draft. Prefers volunteer force like in the US, however, understands the necessity for a mandatory draft in Israel. Regarding chareidim has two conflicting positions. On the one hand it is detrimental to the army to deal with untrained uneducated soldiers who completely do not want to be there and are entirely un-devoted to the mission. On the other hand, is frustrated that chareidim would receive the same benefits as other Israeli citizens without contributing their fair share.
My personal opinion thus far:
1) Whether the protests are justified or not I do not like violent protests, or protests that disturb citizens who had no part in the cause. However, even if the cause is silly or dumb, a peaceful protest in a free society is a human right and a cause for celebration.
2) Even if this would not solve the problem, and even if there would still need to be some sort of mandotory draft, it seems that if more of the services became privatized and if soldiers were paid higher salaries for staying on past the initial 3 years, had opportunities for advancement, and if more and more options for national service or for non-military IDF support services were possible through volunteerism or private means- that would/could relieve the pressure.
3) This is a highly unlikely option- but in the footsteps of the Obama coalition government, the extreme left-wing anti-IDF groups such as Betzelem and Shovrim Shetika could partner with the chareidim to lobby the government to remove the mandatory draft or join in peaceful protests to that effect.
Discussion: IDF: Mandatory draft: Who, when, why yes?
The Dilemma:
Anti-occupation/ sympathetic to the plight of Palestinians: Shovrim Shtika, Betzelem.
Women:
1. More difficult to follow religious laws of shabbos, kosher ect. outside of a more sheltered environment. In a rough and tumble military environment modesty standards can be difficult to uphold and it is a psychological and religious danger to sexual ethics and human dignity.
2. The most important factor for the survival of a society is bringing the next generation into the world and raising them with love and ethics. Most aspects of this role can only be done by women and woman are most skilled in this sphere of influence. Exposure to the danger of war can jeopardize their ability and distract from their core mission.
3. Women statistically are physically weaker than men. It is the moral duty of the men in a society to protect the vulnerable and not put them in the line of fire.
Anti-Zionist religious: secular and christian roots to modern day Zionism.
Exposure to values that contradict a g-d fearing lifestyle: videos, depraved sexual ethics, immodestly dressed women, non-kosher food.
Takes away from the time, effort and ability for men to devote themselves to Torah study.
Jewish religious tradition of independence from government. Yeshiva in Russia- Yeshiva of Volozhin- the ruler of Russia allowed the school to remain open with certain academic requirements. The Yeshiva closed is doors rather than follow the dictates of an outside - non-Rabbinic authority.
Options: (Based on family, community, personality and opinion.)
1. Pretend to be mentally ill.
2. Apply for temporary deferment as a full time Yeshiva student (until aged out.)
3. Dodge the draft and risk arrest.
4. Serve community service in a religious environment such as Yad Sarah, Zakkah, Hatzolo, ect.
5. For religious women sign a declaration of religious observance and/or
6. Serve community service in a recognized national service program.
The following paragraphs are notes from my initial research and interviews.
Recent Protests in Israel
This article was inspired by a friend's curiosity to understand the recent protests in Israel- primarily in Jerusalem, but carried out in many Ultra-orthodox cities all across israel. (This friend is a Christian tourist/volunteer in jerusalem.)
Up until several years ago (verify when) the Israeli government had an agreement with the Chareidi community regarding the military draft. As part of the status quo there was a general understanding that Chareidi men did not serve- they received a Torah learning exemption. The change came from frustration of secular Israeli faction of the country/government. They want religious Jews to be more educated/worldly an to be more assimilated into mainstream Israeli culture. For them (and many religious Jews recognize this) the army is not just about protecting the county, it is an indoctrination school- an opportunity to educate and train young minds with specific values. The complaint was that it is no longer fair or tolerable for Chareidi men to shirk their duty and there will be quotas moving forward- only 10% of the Chareidim would be allowed to abstain.
There was a huge peaceful protest in Jerusalem of orthodox Jews from all factions against this decree.
Before the protest some orthodox Jews already participated in the draft such as dati leumi faction- religion zionists, or most Chabad chasidim, other Jews including many Yerushalmi Jews pretended to be mentally ill to evade the draft. For those groups the new decree did not force them to reevaluate their position in any big way. Following the protest a faction of the orthodox Jews that call themselves "Litaim" -non hasidich- were divided on what to do moving forward. From my understanding the opinion of Rabbi Steinman, a Rabbi from Bnei Brak, and his followers preferred to respond with diplomacy and subversion. They organized and trained community leaders to privately negotiate with government officials and create underground networks to help Yeshiva students avoid the draft. In this method they would avoid a full frontal culture war that would put the secular protagonists on the offensive. Quietly and without fanfare the law would be in effect be obsolete. The general tern for this position is "The flag of Torah" called after the name of the political party these followers associate with in the Kneset. The second faction are called "aitznikim" tree people, after their party in the kneset, Etz. Rabbi Aurbach, the founder of this party, maintains that continuing to comply with the army is problematic and should be avoided. Even continuing to sign up for deferment brings opportunity for contact with non-religious values as soldiers and clerks might be dressed immodestly. Also, pretending to comply sends a false message that hareidi Jews agree with the intention and the deferment law and can mislead the population. Rabbi Aurbach is also concerned that weaker and struggling students can fall through the cracks or families who are not aware or have connections with community activists who can arrange private deferments for them. Therefore he advised his followers to no longer apply for a deferment and illegally evade the draft. The ensuing protest every time a draft evader is arrested is in protest of a law they believe violates their human rights for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.
Before the protest some orthodox Jews already participated in the draft such as dati leumi faction- religion zionists, or most Chabad chasidim, other Jews including many Yerushalmi Jews pretended to be mentally ill to evade the draft. For those groups the new decree did not force them to reevaluate their position in any big way. Following the protest a faction of the orthodox Jews that call themselves "Litaim" -non hasidich- were divided on what to do moving forward. From my understanding the opinion of Rabbi Steinman, a Rabbi from Bnei Brak, and his followers preferred to respond with diplomacy and subversion. They organized and trained community leaders to privately negotiate with government officials and create underground networks to help Yeshiva students avoid the draft. In this method they would avoid a full frontal culture war that would put the secular protagonists on the offensive. Quietly and without fanfare the law would be in effect be obsolete. The general tern for this position is "The flag of Torah" called after the name of the political party these followers associate with in the Kneset. The second faction are called "aitznikim" tree people, after their party in the kneset, Etz. Rabbi Aurbach, the founder of this party, maintains that continuing to comply with the army is problematic and should be avoided. Even continuing to sign up for deferment brings opportunity for contact with non-religious values as soldiers and clerks might be dressed immodestly. Also, pretending to comply sends a false message that hareidi Jews agree with the intention and the deferment law and can mislead the population. Rabbi Aurbach is also concerned that weaker and struggling students can fall through the cracks or families who are not aware or have connections with community activists who can arrange private deferments for them. Therefore he advised his followers to no longer apply for a deferment and illegally evade the draft. The ensuing protest every time a draft evader is arrested is in protest of a law they believe violates their human rights for freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.
Young girls were required to come before a Rabbi and sign a document stating that they kept Shabbos, Kosher and laws of modesty, and they were completely exempt from army services. Another option for religious girls was to complete non-military national service. This national service was not mandatory and there is a plethora of options of where and how to complete this requirement. (Possibly include the story of Ben Gurion and rabbi with wagon on a bridge allegory.)
For young men the situation is a bit more complicated. There was no understanding or permanent compromise reached, rather, there was a tenuous and temporary compromise reached. Ultra-orthodox Jewish men had the option of deferring their military service for Torah study. They had to lehagish- to appear before the military draft office and declare that they were a full time student and they received a temporary reprieve. They had to continue this request several times until they aged out of conscription. While under draft deferment, they were not able to receive several citizen benefits . (verify what benefits and is it not able to leave the country.) (Possibly include ... story of fearing/apprehension entering the country with his Israeli accent even though he has no Israeli citizenship.)
Ultra-orthodox men did not want to serve for several reasons. One reason is because they highly value Torah study. It is a strongly held belief that Torah study is a vital contribution to the safety and security of the country, therefore, they feel their Torah study is more important to the peace effort than if they would sere in the army. Many who study still respect and appreciate the service and sacrifice of the soldiers of the IDF even while they themselves abstain from service. Although this can come across as arrogant, many Torah scholars consider it a responsibility- if others are relying on the merit of their Torah study, they must be consistent and reliable.
Refusal to participate in the draft is also because of philosophical disagreements with the 19th century zionist movement that has strong influence on the secular Israeli government until today. Community leaders are particularly concerned with the exposure to values that are antithetical to the hareidi lifestyle, primarily regarding the boundaries between men and women and exposure to women dressed not in accordance with Jewish laws of modesty.
During war-time, many chariedim will engage in extra prayer, torah study and charity and designate the merit of their good deeds for god to grant extra protection to the soldiers in danger on the frontlines. Although they choose not to participate in service, they do not diminish the IDFs mission and the gratitude they have for what the soldiers do. There are Chareidim who have a strong disagreement with the zionist state and do have a difficult disconnecting their attitude to zionism with the primary mission of the IDF- to protect human life; citizens, residents and visitors of the state of Israel. In this regard, even with non-zionist ultra-orthodox jews there is a diversity of thought and perspective.
Several years ago the Israeli government decided that they will no longer offer a blanket draft exemption to all full time yeshiva students. Instead, they will only allow issue an exemption to a tenth of the men who request this deferment. This law was unacceptable to the hareidi community. As stated, this will deprive and diminish Torah study in the Jewish community and the world, and Torah study is considered integral to the survival of Judaism in the world. In addition there were concerns regarding exposure to the non-biblical values, and community leaders were specifically concerned that weaker families or communities shouldn't be lost to the secular influence without the strong vanguard to insulate them and protect them as well. There was a huge peaceful protest where women and men from all communities in the hareidi movement gathered and marched in Jerusalem in protest of this law. So many Jews were gathered at once that a special blessing was recited that is reserved for when a huge amount of Jews are gathered. Some estimate that about 100k Jews were gathered. Photographers were enamored and surprised and videoed the remarkable spectacle of thousands of Jews at one moment all moving in one motion in prayer at once.
Given these concerns, there was a difference of opinion how to react to the new law. Rabbi Steinman, a Rabbi from Bnei Brak advised that Torah students should continue as before to request a deferment and not engage in civil disobedience. Rabbi Shmuel Aurbach, a rabbi in Jerusalem, advised that this affront on Torah Judaism must be fought and not accepted. The civil disobedience he advised was for Jewish men to no longer sign up for draft deferment instead to avoid and refuse to sign up at all.
Two men who followed this approach were recently stopped for a traffic violation during which the police discovered that they were draft dodgers, and they subsequently were put in jail. The protests that followed were not merely because these men were in jail for violating a law, it was because they believe this is an unjust law with an evil intention, and they are protesting the law itself. Unfortunately there was violence at these protests, but not all Chareidim agree with this approach- they maintain that in a democratic and free country violence is never the answer.
On the street interviews:
Soldier #1: This soldier did not understand why Chareidim get a pass. He also believes that the mandatory draft is necessary. A voluntary force like the US would not be sufficient because Israel is surrounded by existential threats. However, the army does have enough soldiers, in his opinion, with just the secular and religious Zionist population, and therefore forcibly drafting the chareidim even though it would be more fair) is unnecessary and would just give the army tons of untrained and unneeded soldiers. He did specify again that he did not understand why the chareidim could not serve and what was so important with what they were busy doing all day.
Store clerk- Zionist Immigrant: Did not serve due to the age he immigrated, he does not understand why Chareidim get a pass. He does not understand why it is important for them to study Torah all day and it seems unfair to him that they enjoy the benefits of citizenship and the protection of the IDF but do not feel responsible to contribute. When informed that some Chareidim entirely refuse government stipends such as the "Maternity Package" and other institutions do not receive government "higher education" stipends, he was surprised and did not know how to respond. The fact that there is no uniformity made it difficult to make a judgement (each community adopts a different practice and there is even diversity within each communities on what to take, how much, for what, should men work? Does the wife work? ect.)
Also has strong criticism for the violence and destruction at protests- the traffic, spitting, name calling, garbage upheaval. Considers it a disgrace.
Female Bus Passenger: Disagreed with mandatory draft. Prefers volunteer force like in the US, however, understands the necessity for a mandatory draft in Israel. Regarding chareidim has two conflicting positions. On the one hand it is detrimental to the army to deal with untrained uneducated soldiers who completely do not want to be there and are entirely un-devoted to the mission. On the other hand, is frustrated that chareidim would receive the same benefits as other Israeli citizens without contributing their fair share.
My personal opinion thus far:
1) Whether the protests are justified or not I do not like violent protests, or protests that disturb citizens who had no part in the cause. However, even if the cause is silly or dumb, a peaceful protest in a free society is a human right and a cause for celebration.
2) Even if this would not solve the problem, and even if there would still need to be some sort of mandotory draft, it seems that if more of the services became privatized and if soldiers were paid higher salaries for staying on past the initial 3 years, had opportunities for advancement, and if more and more options for national service or for non-military IDF support services were possible through volunteerism or private means- that would/could relieve the pressure.
3) This is a highly unlikely option- but in the footsteps of the Obama coalition government, the extreme left-wing anti-IDF groups such as Betzelem and Shovrim Shetika could partner with the chareidim to lobby the government to remove the mandatory draft or join in peaceful protests to that effect.
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