- Dodging War
-
- Rabbi Reuven Mann Dean - Masoret Institute
- As an orthodox Jew I am totally opposed to exemptions for yeshiva
- students.This policy has no basis in the Tanach and talmudic
sources.
- Historically, the greatest Jewish spiritual leaders eg. Moses,
Joshua, David
- etc. were also great warriors. David's eulogy of Saul and Jonathan
extols
- their courage and fighting prowess. In Deuteronomy the Torah lists
those who
- are exempt from war. It does not mention a yeshiva student or
- Torah scholar. Moreover even the exemptions listed apply only to an
optional
- war not one of self defense which everyone is biblically obliged to
engage in.
- One who refrains from partaking in a war for the defense of the
Jewish people
- violates a Torah command.The current exemption policy, in addition,
only
- contributes to the hostility between the religious and secular
camps. The non
- religious have a legitimate gripe: why should we and our children
bear
- the risk and burden of military service while the religious get a
free
- ride.The illegitimate use of religion as a means of dodging one's
- responsibility to the state brings dishonor to Torah and arouses a
general
- animosity to Judaism. Those who profess to live according to the
strictest
- requirements of Torah should be role models admired and emulated by
all.
- Willingness to serve in defense of Israel would be a monumental step
in the
- right direction.
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