(Even) young charedim who do not study in yeshivas should avoid joining the army.
Incongruous for obvious reasons. Their husbands do serve. Why is it OK – even admirable for their husbands to serve but not Charedim... even those that do not study full time in Yeshivos?
Although the do try to explain their opposition, it does not explain why their husbands still serve. Either they are doing the right thing by serving or they are not. And if not, why are they still there? Why are they not protesting?
Here is how organization founder, Efrat Lupo put it:
(We) often encounter situations where senior IDF officials choose to promote agendas and values that harm the spirit of the IDF and its sanctity as the army of the Jewish people.
The Wives of Soldiers for Sanctity in the Camp have complained on several occasions in recent months that males and female soldiers were forced to sleep in the same compound, which seriously compromised the sanctity of those who wish to refrain from mixing of the genders in the battlefield.
And yet they still serve. That’s because they understand that despite the compromising situations that they occasionally must put up with there is an overriding reason to serve. Which was also articulated by Mrs. Lupo:
“Our commitment to the success of the IDF and the commandment of ‘Assisting Israel in times of distress’ is unquestionable. As wives of soldiers who have served hundreds of days in reserves since the beginning of the war, while we must manage our homes both practically and spiritually, we call on anyone who can contribute their part in the IDF to do
They explained that the IDF must provide appropriate solutions and frameworks for Charedim who wish to enlist and stop promoting progressive agendas that weaken the spirit of the soldiers. It’s not that they are wrong about such goals. But that they expressed them in the context of support of Rabbi Yosef’s call for Charedi exemptions, seems to be a contradiction to their own beliefs.
Even as I believe that Charedi religious standards should be accommodated, I’m not sure they aren’t already by a variety of IDF units that cater to Charedim. And yet it appears there is still opposition by Charedi leaders even to that.
I assume that’s because the IDF sometimes falls short. But that is not a reason to reject service. It is a reason make sure that the IDF fixes it. I am told that in most cases the IDF brass in charge of these units is willing to do just that. And only fell short in the first place for the lack of knowing fully what those needs are.
Even if one accepts the charge that religious recruits have a greater chance of being disabused of their religious lifestyle in the regular IDF, that would certainly not be the case in any of the Charedi units. If there aren’t enough of them, then indeed, the IDF must increase their number – if only to make it easier for Charedim to serve without them having to worry about their spirituality suffering.
Furthermore – as I have said numerous times, IDF recruits from religious backgrounds (regardless if Charedi or Dati Leumi) that go OTD were probably half way there before they ever joined. That Rabbi Yosef’s own brothers went OTD in the IDF is probably for the same reason. Just because one is raised in a devoutly religious home does not mean they always fully embraced those values. Besides there have been countless religious Jews that have served in the regular IDF without compromising anything.
Sanctity? What about the sanctity of saving Jewish lives? Should that not be a lot more important than not always having the Eida HaCharedis Hechsher available for all their meals?
I don’t know. But it seems to me that instead of agreeing with Rabbi Yosef that Charedim shouldn’t serve, it would have been a lot better for them to say they should serve but the IDF needs to do more to accommodate their needs. Not exactly sure why in a time of war - they feel OK about their husbands putting themselves at risk while Charedim deserve to sit it out.
