Will compulsory military service really cause a Haredi mass exodus from Israel?

Did Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef overplay his hand, by confidently stating that a law, enacting compulsory military service, including ultra-Orthodox men (known as Haredim), would result in a mass exodus from the land of Israel?

By all accounts, his harsh response seems to be nothing more than a veiled threat for a number of reasons which would almost assuredly prevent such an extreme act from taking place. For one thing, these young men, who enter Torah and Talmud studies, do so knowing that they will receive a government stipend, allowing them to forego the usual employment, the route taken by most people in order to support themselves. 

That stipend does not include grants, which are often donated to the Kollel (learning institution) and distributed to those who may need them. More sizeable funds, as well as a significant reduction on property taxes, is also available for married students, as well as extra money for each child born to such families. 

What other country, short of the Jewish homeland, would offer that kind of a deal? None comes to mind. And given the massive support coming from the ultra-Orthodox community, the largest of which is situated in Israel, where else would these students be able to receive food vouchers, reduced housing costs and all the perks and benefits that are derived from living in the Promised Land?

Although Rabbi Yosef speaks for his Sephardic constituency, what about the other young students who come from an Ashkenazi background or are members of the Religious Zionist community, as well as other Orthodox streams, all having their own separate rabbinical authorities? Does he speak for them, and, if not, would he be able to influence their decision to stay, if that’s what they choose to do?

The Haredi sector is said to “double its numbers every 16 or 17 years,” with the population hovering around 1,280,000 as of 2022, making up around 13.3% of the overall inhabitants of Israel. Among them, it is reported that there are a whopping 350,000 students, a gargantuan increase from the 400 yeshivah students in 1948, at the birth of the Jewish nation. There are “65,000 students over the age of 18 who have army deferrals due to their full-time Torah study.”

Ironically, Rabbi Yosef hails the military achievements of October 7, as being a direct result of “divine protection afforded by Torah learning.” In other words, without these students, many of whom feel compelled to enter these studies, as a result of societal pressure within their community, but who otherwise would prefer to make a living out in the real world, the Jewish state might have come to an end since their existence and pious pursuits made all the difference.

That’s definitely one way to justify the massive government investment of what goes into these many learning institutions, propped up by taxes and the special status given to these students in order to refer to them as those who saved us from extinction! Far be it from these men of faith to give any credit to the same God who promised that when it comes to watching over Israel, He neither slumbers nor sleeps. (Psalm 121)

For Yosef, these institutions “hold up the world,” so why not attribute Israel’s survival to these spiritual giants? But there are a few who not only disagree with the rabbi’s assertions but actually are willing to call him out as offensive, tone-deaf and even damaging. Former interim prime minister, Yair Lapid referred to the rabbi’s words as “an insult and disgrace to the IDF and its soldiers,” stating that the 66,000 Haredi youths, who are eligible for enlistment, could add another needed 105 new battalions which are essential for Israel’s security.”

Likewise, coalition member, Benny Gantz reminded everyone that we must fight for the land to which we returned after 2,000 years of exile. Slamming Yosef, Gantz said that “his words are a moral affront to the State and Israel society and that everyone should take part in the sacred right to serve and fight for our state, especially in this difficult time – even our Haredi brothers.”

What Rabbi Yosef fails to realize is that without a physical defense of our country, there would be no learning institutions for these students to attend, and given the growing list of hostile countries that would like to take a shot at finishing the work that Hamas began, we need every hand on deck to make sure that they don’t get that chance. 

If Yosef really believes that these ultra-Orthodox have the benefit of God’s special protection and miracle-working power, why wouldn’t he acknowledge that such a dispensation would occur whether they are studying Torah inside of a building or combat fighting on a Gaza battlefield? Doesn’t the presence of God accompany His people regardless of where they are? And why would Yosef believe that “the secular” are less important or protected by the Almighty, placing them in a category relegated to those who are protected only due to faithful Torah students?

Citing the biblical exemption of the tribe of Levi, as a justification to also allow these students not to serve, does he believe that all 350,000 of them (or even the 66,000 who are immediately eligible for military service) come from the tribe of Levi? Because last time I checked, no one really knows from what tribe they came. Even those whose last name is Cohen or Levy can only speculate that they come from the priestly tribe. While it’s assumed that they do, without a full trace of one’s ancestry, it cannot be guaranteed.

The real issue is more connected to the decision that the Haredim must live separate from all others, so as not to become “tainted” by the world. Living in a bubble, after all, makes it much easier to avoid the temptation of staying within the framework of one’s faith, which is why influences such as television, films, the Internet and other news sources are largely forbidden to them. Yet, nonetheless, it does not keep everyone in their community immune from sin or the temptation to commit it. To the contrary, the ultra-Orthodox community struggles with many of the same weaknesses as others. In their case, they’re just more adept at hiding it for fear of the shame it will bring to those who fail to walk the walk.

Nonetheless, when push comes to shove, as it did following the worst attack Israel has ever seen on its shores, which occurred on October 7, it was heartwarming to see that at least 450 Haredi Jews chose to enlist in the IDF and join the war effort. 

Those men thought for themselves, knowing that their contribution could make a difference. Our hope is that Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef will have greatly underestimated the other 65,550 who will decide that staying in the Promised Land and fighting for it, just as their biblical forefathers did, is a higher calling than abandoning their homeland at its greatest time of need!