The president of the 'Hotam' organization, Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, published today (Thursday) a 'statement of opinion' on the discussion taking place in the High Court of Justice regarding the conscription of yeshiva students.
In a "Statement of Opinion," signed by other rabbis, Rabbi Ariel emphasizes that serving in the IDF is a commandment from the Torah, but nevertheless, the violation of the sanctity of yeshivahs is a predatory step that must be condemned.
The "Statement of Mind" states that the government's role is to strengthen the sanctity of the camp and find a way to combine the mitzvah of war with Torah study.
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The 'Statement of Opinion' was joined by rabbis, yeshivot heads, council rabbis, localities and Torah cores: Rabbi Avichai Eitam, Rabbi Shimon Ben Shaya, Rabbi Yitzhak Halevi, Rabbi Yehoshua Van Dijk, Rabbi Avraham Wasserman, Rabbi Hillel Merzbach, Rabbi Menachem Novick, Rabbi Eli Sadan, Rabbi Yehuda Sadan, Rabbi Yigal Kaminetzky, Rabbi Shlomo Rosenfeld, Rabbi Netanel El Shaulian, Rabbi Yehoshua Shapira, Rabbi David Turgeman and Rabbi Eliav Turgeman.
The 'Public Opinion' states: "The commandment to serve in the IDF to help Israel in times of need, in actual practice, is part of our holy Torah and the preservation of the nation's soul, as the Ramban says in Parashat Bamidbar about the obligation to make efforts in war and not to rely on miracles. This commandment applies to every Israeli, including those who understand the Torah. Everyone goes out to war for the commandment, but there is no question about the importance of the existence of the yeshiva - which is the tree of life of the Israeli nation. The study of Torah makes a significant contribution to the existence of the state.".
The 'Statement of Opinion' also states: "An arrangement must be found that will balance the study of Torah with the commandments of defending the state. Therefore, the severe harm done by High Court judges to yeshivas is a predatory step that must be condemned, and it is an injury, first and foremost, to the State of Israel as a Jewish state. It is appropriate for the state to shape the rights of private citizens according to their contribution to Israel's security, but the serious harm done to Torah synagogues, as a collective punishment, arouses a difficult feeling, especially when other institutions in Israel, such as academia and cultural institutions, for example, are funded despite being populated by evasive jurors and even members of minorities, some of whom are enemies of Israel.".
""The role of the government and the military leaders is to strengthen the sanctity of the camp of Israel and Jewish morality - so that the Divine Presence may dwell in the camp of Israel and that we may merit divine assistance to overcome Israel's enemies, and to enable proper military service. The role of public servants is to lay the foundations so that we may all be partners in both the war of the mitzvah and in the study of Torah.".
