(It is interesting to note that there are members of the Kenesset on the left that criticize Lapid for supporting this plan saying that it does not live up to the goal of equalizing things for everybody. Hesder only got a one month increase and the draft will not begin until 2017.)
I still remember what he said during the campaign to Charedi law students at Kiryat Ono College. He echoed it here. From the World Jewish Daily:
Nonetheless, Lapid also pledged that the government would not abandon the concerns of the Haredim. He said “this is not an attempt to hurt your way of life, we are obligated to help you to work and provide for your families…”
I have no reason to doubt him.
It gives me no pleasure to see how Charedim are reacting to this. They are understandably pained. They see the implementation of this bill as the end of the Charedi world as they know it. The fact is that it will be. And it will be hard.
But it will not be the end of the Charedi world. It will only be the end as they know it. It will be the beginning of a new improved Charedi world. They will now enter a new world of better choices. They will be less looked down upon by seculars, and yet will be able to continue their way of life religiously. Their Yeshivos will be tighter and more productive. Their ability to support themselves will be improved. Their overall contributions to Yiddishkeit will soar as will their spiritual growth. Because spiritual growth happens best when there is less poverty in one’s life. And Yeshiva life will not change for Charedim in any case until age 21. That is the age that any Charedi can defer his service too. Yeshivos will still be full of students age 21 and under.
Charedi resistance to the draft is fierce. It will be fought in many ways. Some more violent than others. I hope that it does not happen. I hope not a single Charedi student is jailed. (I somehow think this will never happen no matter what.) My hope is that they go along with this and leave the exemptions to this who truly deserve it. That is the kind of ending that will benefit everyone. If on the other hand there is the kind of ‘war’ that Rav Auerbach is threatening, who knows where it will lead. Time will tell.
Visit Emes Ve-Emunah .