Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Disappointed but Not Surprised

Soldier in Nachal Charedi - photo credit: JC Online
I know that this is their view. Nonetheless, it still pains me when I see them saying so in such stark black and white terms. I am referring to the recent statement by the Agudah Moetzes endorsing the views of their Israeli counterparts on the issue of drafting Yeshiva students. They are obviously very opposed.

While I accept that the members of the Moetzes are Tamidei Chachamim with few peers; and that their views should be respected, I have to say that there are times – like this one – that makes it very difficult for me to do so. Not because I don’t respect their knowledge. Nor do I suspect that their views are anything but L’Shem Shomayim - for the sake of heaven. I truly believe that they are selfless human beings that have dedicated their lives to doing the will of God and serving Klal Yisroel.

Here is a translation of their most recent proclamation from the Baltimore Jewish Life
We are deeply dismayed by the efforts in Eretz Yisroel to draft B’nei Yeshiva and remove them from the Beis Medrash, the wellspring of Torah to which they dedicate their days and nights. The perseverance and security of Hashem’s people are rooted in its dedication to Torah study, as Chazal comment on the posuk “Our feet were standing at your gates, Yerushalayim”: “What will enable our feet to stand firm in war?  The gates of Yerushalayim, where [Jews] devote themselves to Torah study.”
 We appeal to the members of the government in Israel not to take any steps that will in any way negatively affect the B’nei Yeshiva and their study of Torah.  For Torah study is “our life and the length of our days,” which will “lead us, upright, forever.” 
Like I said, this is no surprise. But it bothers me just the same. I understand the issue. They say that Torah study is what saves the world. That without it, the world would cease to exist… and that certainly Torah study is what protects the Jewish people. Granted. But what this statement does not say is that security requires not only Torah study but in the case of Israel - an army. This very simple fact – and it is a fact – was acknowledged in public by Rav Chaim Shmulevitz, a Gadol of an earlier generation. 

I can’t even count anymore the times I’ve quoted this revered sage of the 20th century on this issue. He did not make it up. Nor is there any rabbinic opposition to this fact. It is the truth. It’s called Hishtadlus – maximum mental and physical effort. Hishtadlus in this case requires that we do whatever earthly things we can to accomplish the goal of protecting Jewish lives. Which means that we do not rely on miracles. If there were no army, there would be no Hishtadlus. It is true that Torah holds up the world. But as R’ Chaim said we need not only a spiritual army. We need a physical army as well.

If that were not so, there would no such thing as a Milchemes Mitzvah (a war mandated by God). We would just all sit in a Beis HaMedrash and study Torah until our enemies were destroyed by fire and brimstone from heaven. David HaMelech captured Jerusalem not by staying in the Beis HaMedrash but by going to war.

This statement does not address that issue. Nor does it answer the pain and suffering of families whose sons have been maimed or killed in doing their Hishtadlus in battle, while Yeshiva students do theirs in relative safety. The idea of “sharing the burden” which is what proponents of drafting Charedim want - is based on this kind of inequity. Why do they not address it? How can they not? How can they just say they are dismayed by a possible draft without addressing this issue?

Nor do they explain why they feel that the status quo ante should remain untouched in any way? I could better understand if they had said that there ought not be a draft for Charedim - if they qualified it with the requirement to root out those who are faking it or just going through the motions because of peer pressure. Or maybe even those who are learning but not quite at the level one would expect of someone who’s Torah Umnaso (Torah is his job).  

Studies have shown that there are at least 60,000 men studying in Yeshivos and Kollelim – all of them exempt from army service. Does the Agudah Moetzes feel that all 60,000 are needed in the Beis Hamedrash in order to receive Divine protection? …Even those who aren’t learning that well… or even at all - in some cases? Because that is the status quo ante which they are saying should be untouched.

And how do they feel about Hesder boys? Or Nachal Charedi? Should they all stop serving and return to the Beis HaMedrash full time?

There is certainly no clarification about any of this in that statement. It is simply a statement rejecting any change in the status of Yeshiva and Kollel Students because they are they ones who protect the world. Period - exclamation point! If one is enrolled in a Yeshiva or Kollel, that should automatically exempt him.

I do not understand that. I would understand it if they had said that only those who are sincere and study with diligence should be exempt. I would even agree that there should be a core student population that is exempt from army service. But I do not understand a blanket statement like the one the Agudah Moetzes has made.

Questions may be raised about how to qualify for exemption. The argument by the right is that there should be no quota of Charedi students requiring to serve… that all should be exempt. Why? Why should those who spend little time in the Beis hamedrash be exempt, just because they show up for a few minutes every day… or even learn Torah for an hour or two and do something else with the rest of their time?

There ought to be a process of exempting Yeshiva students. Not one set up but the army. But one set up by the rabbinic establishment themselves. Not every student who is in a Yeshiva or Kollel now ought to be there. How do we accomplish a fair system of exemption? 

That’s easy. It’s called Bechinos (tests). There ought to be a written final exam of every Yeshiva student in every Beis HaMedrash in Israel.  Anyone receiving a C (70%) or lower grade ought to lose their exemption. Tests should be graded by independent examiners outside the institution in order to assure there is no bias.

Testing is something they ought to do anyway - even without a draft. There is a lot of government funding of Yeshiva students and some of them don’t deserve it. If someone isn’t learning Torah at a minimum level (70% retention rate) they ought to be doing something else. Torah is not their profession. They should go to the army and then get a job and support their families. And be Koveah Itim - establish fixed times for learning that do not interfere with their jobs.

I don’t know what kind of numbers this will produce. But my guess is that a lot of students will lose their exemptions and rightfully so.  

One may say that all Charedim should share the burden. Perhaps. But I don’t expect the Agudah Moetzes to support such a view. On the other hand shouldn’t the Agudah Moetzes agree that at least those who don’t pass those Bechinos be subject to a draft? And required to serve as long as their religious needs are met? Like those who currently serve in Nachal Charedi? I would certainly hope so… although we can’t know that from this statement. Very disappointed.