This past Shabbat, I attended a Haredi shul where I picked up a pamphlet (in Hebrew) entitled, "I am a wall."
The booklet's message is that young haredi men of military age are to stand like a firm wall against any force on this earth that would lead to service in the IDF.
The issue of defending the Jewish state is not a new one.
In 1948, when the country fought its first war of existence, the leaders of the Haredi community called to exempt full-time Torah students to preserve Torah excellence in a post Holocaust world.
From the ashes of the great Torah centers would arise new ones in Israel.
In agreement, Ben Gurion exempted a few hundred dedicated full-time scholars
At the time, Haredi leaders urged those who did not study full-time to enlist, which they did to the applause of the Haredi community.
Ironically, perhaps, there was less ideological opposition to Zionism and the IDF at a time when they were the parliamentary opposition to Progressive Socialist governments.
The gulf between the Haredi communities and the IDF widened after the Likud and Menachem Begin won the election in 1977, when his pro Torah party invited the Haredi parties into his coalition.
Why?
Hitherto, the Haredi parties were not a part of the entrenched Progressive-Left governments and did not enjoy the political fruits of coalition deals/
For the first time, the need for coalition unity opened bargaining powers not imagined before.
Meanwhile, there has been an exponential growth of Torah learning in modern Israel as never before in history.
While the rank and file Haredi community (both Sephardic and Ashkenazi) is inclined to the values of the Right (vigorous and unapologetic defense of land and people and not those of the Progressive Left), many of their political leaders and rabbis build an ever-higher wall between their community and the IDF.
Some of their "spiritual" leaders have declared it is better to go to jail or even die than serve. Another said they will all leave the country rather than serve.
Their politicians readily cooperate with anti-Israel, Arab counterparts if it furthers their aims (usually symbiotic financial interests and exempting both Haredim and Arabs from any kind of national service.
The Haredi constituency is not proud of this alliance but remains silent due to strong social pressure not to criticize their leaders
Such breaking from the ranks can bring ostracism.
I understand the Haredi world's concerns about "losing " their young men when suddenly immersed in a dominant "other" culture.
Every parent protects their children from what they consider to be negative influences.
In response, the IDF created frameworks specially for the needs of Haredi soldiers. Despite the opposition of the Haredi establishment that wants zero service in any form, these are growing slowly.
Decades ago, the "National Religious" community addressed this concern by working with the IDF, and thus, the "Hesder" (arrangement) program was born.
In "Hesder," young religious men do not enter the IDF alone. They do so as a group of peers guided by their rabbis and teachers.
Instead of a normal three-year service, they commit to five, divided between periods of group study and group military service accompanied by their teachers and mentors.
They are considered the best soldiers (and finest character) and officers in the IDF due to their spiritual commitment to the mitzvah of protecting the Jewish people and land, as the current war has revealed dramatically.
Sounds like King David's army to me.
Back to the "I am a wall" pamphlet;
The main article was written by an anonymous rabbi to strengthen the young men who are to be the "wall."
He related many examples of Jewish martyrdom in our history to make his point.
In the Middle Ages in Magence, Germany, Rabbi Amnon felt that he might have given the impression to the wicked prince that he considered apostasy. He decreed that, as penance, his tongue should be torn out.
The writer explained, haredi young men must make similar sacrifices and never agree to IDF service.
Conclusion:
The Israeli army = sadistic German princes' Jew hatred
To illustrate further, he reminds the young reader about the martyrdom of Rabbi Akiva.
Just as he did not fear torture and martyrdom at the hands of the wicked Romans, so too should his readers pay any price and not commit the unforgivable sin - service in the Jewish army.
Murder by Evil Roman torturers of Jews = IDF
Another perfect example: Avraham Avinu chose to burn in the furnace of evil King Nimrod and not bow down to an idol.
Idolatry = taking arms for the Jewish people
Further, Yosef Hatzadik was thrown into a pit (JAIL) rather than sin with the wife of Potiphar.
Learn from Yosef! Sacrifice all but never serve in the Israeli army
Adultery = IDF
Yirmiyahu the prophet was thrown into a pit to die rather than admonish the sinning king Yehokiyam.
You know the equation..
His list is long and illustrative for his young readers.
He does not forget to mention the
Crusades,
Inquisition,
Stalin
(Not Hitler?)
I perceive a process.
As the progressive Left loses political power and Jewish identity, as they shrink demographically, as they seek foreign passports to abandon ship, the country is becoming more "Jewish."
The (growing) Haredi masses, especially the young, want to be a part of this. The country can not do without it.
Their skills and energy, and natural love and pride for their people and land, will form a partnership with their like-minded brothers in the National Religious and traditional communities as the old Left elites fade away.
A new Haredi leadership is emerging that does not idealize the ghetto walls of the shameful Exile, but rather adds their sacrifice, energies, and idealism to a stronger, better Jewish country.
Speedily in our time.
author "Jews, Israelis, and Arabs"
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