In a groundbreaking development, a prominent ultra-Orthodox rabbi has voiced support for drafting members of his community who are not engaged in full-time religious study into the Israeli military. This shift in stance could potentially pave the way for thousands of new recruits and help bridge long-standing social divides in Israel.
A high-profile fundraising event took place last Thursday, drawing major donors to support religious schools facing budget cuts in the wake of a recent Israeli Supreme Court ruling. Attendees contributed generously to offset the shortfall, adding to the tens of millions of dollars already amassed. Among the notable contributors was David Hager, a Los Angeles-based businessman and philanthropist known for his substantial backing of "Nahal Haredi," an organization supporting ultra-Orthodox soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
While awaiting the arrival of another prominent rabbi, Hager engaged in a private, 40-minute dialogue with Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, one of the most respected leaders in the ultra-Orthodox community. During their conversation, Hager outlined the existing pathways for ultra-Orthodox individuals in the IDF, and the two delved into various aspects of military service for members of their community.
A key topic of discussion was the potential enlistment of ultra-Orthodox individuals who are not enrolled in religious schools and thus lack the typical justification for military exemption granted to those immersed in intensive religious study. Concluding their talk, Rabbi Hirsch concurred that those engaged in secular work or academic pursuits rather than full-time religious study should indeed be subject to the draft. However, he maintained that religious students should remain exempt from military service, even if they are unable to dedicate themselves to studying throughout the entire day.
Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who carries the burden of a generation, leading them in tefillah as well pic.twitter.com/liJuU8A6DS
— #MKY מי כעמך ישראל (@MKYstatus) September 29, 2024
This stance marks a significant departure from the traditional position of ultra-Orthodox religious leadership. Leaders of Rabbi Hirsch's caliber had previously refrained from making such statements, particularly in the absence of legislation ensuring stable exemptions for religious students. The rabbi's pronouncement was met with considerable astonishment among his close circle and fellow event attendees.
Moved by Rabbi Hirsch's groundbreaking statement, Hager made a substantial donation of $1.37 million to the religious school fund, the largest contribution of the evening. He emphasized the importance of publicizing the rabbi's words to reshape the ongoing debate surrounding military service for non-studying ultra-Orthodox individuals. This shift could potentially lead to the enlistment of thousands, a move deemed crucial both for bolstering the ranks of regular service personnel and for mending Israel's strained social fabric.
