It was about sixty-six years ago, about a month after the declaration of the state. Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion led the legislation of "Torah is his art," according to which every young man could postpone his enlistment in the IDF and continue to study Torah.
Those were the days of revival after the destruction of Europe. The founders of the young state and all its residents were unanimous that part of the restoration of a nation after destruction also lies in the spiritual aspect, and they knew, like us, that Torah scholars shouldered an inconsiderable part in the success of the state's revival.
Over the years, the number of residents of the country has grown, the borders of the country have expanded, and as a nation grows, the differences of opinion intensify and diversify.
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Hatred and enmity developed in the relations between the general public and the ultra-Orthodox over the 'Torah is your training' law: the general public claimed that the law was correct when the number of yeshiva students was small and today, although Torah study is important, there is no need for so many Torah students, while the ultra-Orthodox public claimed that alongside a fighting physical army, the Jewish people need Torah study to complement defense and arming against the enemy.
Coincidences saturated with fratricidal hatred against Torah students were passed down from generation to generation: 'Yeshiva boys live at the expense of the state,' 'Let them go to the army instead of wasting time in yeshiva,' 'parasites,' 'free eaters,' 'idlers,' 'living at the expense of the taxpayer,' and the incitement... hurt and connected.
Over the years, allocations and support for Torah synagogues and the maintenance of the media were cut. In the shadow of the meager government allocation, a "supervision unit" was established, which inspects the morning and evening synagogues, with a "Semitic" list of students attached to them. If a student's place is absent, his government allocation will be permanently reduced.
The outgoing government is striking a blow against Torah students, with the 'Equality of Burden' law, according to which 'exemption from military service will be limited to 1,800 elites only.' The law also recommends and allows 'poor Torah students to enter the workforce', until they are drafted instead of 'the boredom of being forced into the workplace.'.
Free public transportation
With the declaration of the state some sixty-six years ago, the 'People's Army' was established and given the title 'IDF'. The law stipulated that every citizen who turned 18 would enlist in compulsory service for three years. Over time, the number of residents of the country grew, the conscription law remained in place and was not changed in any way in keeping with the spirit of the times, and for generations, thousands of young people have been recruited into the IDF every year without distinction.
Their monthly salary is deposited into their account every month. Over the course of three years, they are entitled to free public transportation, clothing, footwear, full medical care, dentistry, and other expanded benefits. The law... does not discriminate between their role, assignment, or skills. By simply being 'registered' in the IDF, they are automatically entitled to all the associated benefits.
A report published this month in the general press completely refuted the wild incitement against Torah scholars. The report, whose data was provided by the Ministry of Defense, claims that 'the IDF has a large surplus of conscripted soldiers, has nothing to employ them for, and their salaries and the cost of their maintenance are taking a significant toll on the defense budget. The IDF proposes to moderate the mass and automatic conscription, and instead locate and recruit those with the skills who will contribute to security and not burden the budget.'.
It's time to end discrimination.
The task assigned to the Haredi representation in the next Knesset is to establish a 'Gafni/Litzman/Asher/Eichler Committee' to safeguard the state budget and put an end to discrimination. The committee will call on the government to stop funding thousands of 'parasites' 'free eaters' who roam IDF bases, their places of residence and the streets idle, 'eating and making a living at the expense of the Israeli taxpayer.'.
The committee will request the establishment of an 'inspection unit' that will visit IDF bases with a 'Semitic' list, and any soldier who is not present will have his budget cut from the defense budget.
The committee will warn that it is impossible in a reformed country for the Israeli taxpayer to be forced to work and finance from his own pocket tens of thousands of unemployed people who are registered in the IDF and do not serve the country in defense of the homeland.
The committee will allow young men to enter the job market, support themselves and 'stop living at our expense'. The committee that will be established will also determine the number of 'superior' or 'fighters', and will determine a quota of soldiers that the IDF will recruit because the army is important, but it doesn't need that many...
• The column is published in the press line
