Chareidim Draft Proposal

Assaulting one's way of life is not consensus building. The attempt to force chareidim to give up Torah learning and join the army is misguided and needs to be rethought. By encouraging an increase in voluntary chareidi enlistment perhaps a compromise solution can be found.

Take societal pressures out of the mix, there is no pressing need for chareidim to join the ranks of the IDF. To eliminate discontent in society, one must do so in a manner that leaves as little collateral damage as possible. Appeasing this group of society by displeasing that group of society is politicking for votes, not pursuing a path toward true societal improvement.  Bottom line, the current drive to force the Chareidim into the IDF is going to leave some group hurt if it is implemented.

The question is not being put in the correct light.  There is no question that even the greatest of Rabbis in history have worked while they studied, and there is no question that in an emergency a Torah scholar is supposed to interrupt his studies and help those in need. The question is this: Does the IDF currently need the chareidim to be drafted in order for the security of the State of Israel to be provided? The answer is no. Will a draft of the chareidim be a minor interruption to their societal norms, as well as their religious convictions? The answer is also no. It would be a disastrous upheaval according to many of the greatest of our Rabbis.

Therefore being "fair" to the majority via the destruction of a minority is what is being proposed. If those who support the chareidi draft proposal get their way, will Israel be stronger morally and ethically for it? I suggest no.

If rather than trying to force this down the chareidim's throats, a suggestion would be made to their Rabbis, that in order to make a significant percentage of disgruntled citizens feel more respect for their Torah scholars, if the Chareidi leaders would please come up with some internal solution to the batlanim (idlers) who abuse their privileges as chareidim to do nothing while other (the real) chareidim learn intensely, and non-chareidim serve in the army.

Deescalate this situation from confrontation and blackmail to negotiation and consensus building.

The new leaders in the Knesset were put there to be diplomats, not enforcers, leaders of all Israelis, not just for a single constituency.  Perhaps they should act that way?

May it soon be so, by the grace of G-d.