Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, has recently made controversial remarks about compulsory drafting of Haredim, or orthodox jewish people in israel into the Israeli Defense Forces. He says, quote, “If they force us to join the army, we will move abroad,” end quote. Experts say a mass departure of Haredim could damage the foundation of the Jewish state.
The Chief Rabbi reasons, quote, “The yeshivas and kollels are what hold up the world.
The state exists on Torah study, and without the Torah, there would have been no success for the army.”. Many Haredim back his statement, as they would rather relocate than compromise their religious practices by fighting instead of spending the whole day studying. Similar statements have been made by the Haredi community in the past.
Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef’s statement has already been attacked on social media platform X by the Religious Zionist Party and the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization.
Rabbi David Stav, the chairman of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization, argues quote, “The threat of leaving Israel specifically to avoid defending our nation is particularly reprehensible and completely contradicts the spirit of Halacha.”
