Now I know why Israel is in the position it is in. The lanquage of 'peace' is a matter of deals , and not ideals. The lanquage of high morality is missing, how to speak straight and true , This girl speaks from her 'ideals' and is knocked down by those who only feel secure if they have force behind them to back them up, she has true courage.

Maybe someone would respect you if you said you were going to spend 2 years with Sherut Leumi. My daughters did "combat duty" with Ethiopian orphans and multi-handicapped blind children.

Tali..I applaud you and agree with you 1000% percent. Unfortunately Israeli and Diaspora Jews still cling to this erroneous belief that the IDF represents the people, and utilizes each and every sole. I am an American. After finishing an elite university, I made aliyah, enlisted in the army, and spent two years here. Now, I am leaving for good. This country has become corrupt. The government is a disgrace. The living conditions are deplorable. The IDF specifically is an unprofessional, amateurish, and disorganized excuse for a military force. Greater men than any of us die while the government wallows in its filth and fights for the scrappings like a pack of beasts. Why should Tali, or anyone else spend 2-3 years surviving inhumane conditions, and wasting time that could be dedicated to life and career enrichment only to sit on a base and serve coffee and shuffle papers. Even better, after wasting these years, the individual must waste more time earning a pathetic income to begin university studies, only to have them interrupted by calls to reserve duty, student strikes, and government attempts to destroy their only resource-education. The IDF has many amazing individuals. However, at the end of the day, the army structure is non functional. Kudos Tali. I'll be the first to sponsor your American passport. Maybe when enough people realize the deficiencies of the IDF, will it be resurrected into the elite and formidable force it once was. As for Israel, this nation is very special but has been destroyed by greed and incompetence.

If I can understand the distinction, why can't Ynet columnists get it? The Orthodox participate in the IDF; the Haredim mostly, and outrageously, do not.

Some of those who loathe Israel the most (e.g. marilyn & Richard, NY) are her best friend. Hm...

Tali is correct to a point. The military is no place for a woman. This has nothing to do with religion but with the simple fact that there are some jobs for women and others for men. It is time to recognize the fact that wageing war is not for women. Personaly I want a woman who is still pure and inocent from the horrors of war and think that Tali is beutiful the way she is. Joshua

From Former IDF Frecha...Dear Tali, Eitan is speaking the 100% truth...& moshe quote is accurate...people please wake up...because these are the true facts...otherwise please prove otherwise...because most people cant admit to themselves that they are living the problem...& stay stuck in & to the addicted rut...

Tali Farkash and Tali Fachima... what is the difference they both are Tali and both hurt Israel's security by way of her Army.

I agree with other readers that it is difficult to believe from her attitudes that Tali is a religious Jewish/Israeli women. Why would an intelligent columnist/writer slam those who serve their country by emphasizing their own unwillingness to do their share? Can Ynet prove that Tali is actually a real person? Has she written for other publications? Has she appeared on television talk shows? Is Tali Farkash a 'straw man' or a real person? Tali, stand up and be counted!

Fine you don't want to serve but please don't discourage others and do show some pride in the state of Israel and those who do protect her borders and her citizens. Tali shame that you are so bitter. Please try and find some peace.

BrainDead DIB's...Talis Right On!, dead center...this whole present un-establishment has gone completely to he!! & it really means sqwuat to waste your time trying doing anything anymore for todays typical DIB'S...i.e. smoothing the transition into a trailer park trash like braindead like society...still riddled by the bureaucracy & redundancy of its socialist roots. At the same time, the shocking statistic of yesteryear – the 50 percent rate of Good Neighborly Americans, returning to the Good Old States – has not yet been disproven. This is the challenge that good intentioned groups like...Nefesh B’Nefesh is facing on behalf of the Jews of the Western exile...& ex-pat, Idan Ben-Barak, who lives in Australia, tells fellow Israelis that it's time to leave the presently unholy land & unJewish like State...of plenty of already mi$$ed oportunitie$,& TO BACK THAT UP... just read another recent ynet TKO pieces... http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3391151,00.html

Tali belongs to the Charedi world. If she would advocate women's service to our army she would not get Charedi shidduch no matter what her other merits are. Her soul and body belong to Rabbi Elyashiv!

Well, Me being a secular Jew living in America and oneday getting the oppurtunity to live in Israel. I believe is everyone duty to serve in the Army. Orthodox or not. It was the Secular Jew who fought for the creation of Israel. Was Moshe Dayan, Ariel Sharon, Yitzhak Rabin, Menachem Begin so Religious? They Picked up a Gun and fought for a Jewish State that they believe where all Jewish can live in a country without being expelled. Zionism is a great thing. I am 23 now and when i come to Israel and live there full time, i believe in servicing my new country. i might be in my mid twenties or in my late twenties but i believe in Security of my People, Not the many times of reading the Torah. Believing in the Jewish Cause.

What do Orthodox Jews Contribute? Beside Reading Torah and making babies!! What Do they Contribute? Oh yeah, They Take Money from the Israeli Government, and They ridicule Secular Jews! I See, Without the Secular Jews Fighting Orthodox Jews and Ultra Orthodox Would be running for there lives! We Should bless the Secular Jew for his brave heart fighting for fighting Arabs. Orthodox should be kicked out of Israel! Secular Jews from all around Stay in Israel Orthodox move to Brooklyn and Monsey and make babies there!

Orthodox Jews do not contribute to Israel! Israeli Government needs to stop supporting these Black hats! It terreble that the Secular Jew is dying for the country and Orthodox is reading the Torah all day! Its Sad, We need to Wake up and question these people Nationalism towards Israel. BlackHats are good for making babies nad yeshivas. Bastards.

The Arabs love the Orthodox because they dont fight! Tali you need to marry a nice Arab Man! its good for you. Palestine needs more women like you!

Why is it that you feel that only for you is it a waste. What about all those other kids who "wasted" two or three years of their lives? Are you any better? How is it the ultra orthodox want soldiers to protect them, yet are not willing to take part in the protection? Want money and a full basket at the supermarket, but are not willing to work to earn it? How is it that the religious feel that the secular "owe" them and must work for them and gaurd them? Sorry, it is not realistic at all

Many Orthodox (although perhaps not haredi) women serve in the army. And a huge percentage of Orthodox (not haredi) men serve with distinction. I certainly hope reader do not assume that this spoiled brat is a representative spokeswoman for the entire Orthodox world.

capabilities than male bodies. What a shame she decided that because she does not like or has not done physical exercise, it simply cannot be done by any female, anywhere in the world. I shall have to tell this to my friends in sports.

I'm chardal. In other words, I'm hareidi, but served and now have a job and sit in kollel after work. And want my sons in the nahal chareidi, and to have jobs on top of their learning. I want them to be real men who make a difference and live according to our sages words as opposed to a twisted ideology. I completely agree you should have stayed out of the army, but you had an obligation to step up to the plate and do national service - and no, just doing charity work when and where its convenient is not enough. And besides, in most cases, you can do it in your community.

You are part of the problem

Take any female athlete in the world, throw her in basic training for four months, then have them march 75 kilometers with 90 kilos of equipment in twelve hours regardless of the weather. There are women who could do it but they are the exception. Women may be able to endure more g- forces than men however utside of flying it is a trait that is in applicable to the military.

no respect for draft dodgers remember that next time u see fallen comrades who died for you and your freedom and if it doesnt make u very sad then u have problems

Seriously, I have nothing agains Jews worshiping G-d or studying the Torah. I've studied it for 25 years and can find nothing in the Torah or Talmud that says the more religious a person is, the less he/she must be treated like everyone else. In fact, as far as men go, the torah, talmud, Rambam and others are clear that a man must work and support his family, not be supported by the state just because he studies. The only men exempt from service in the army are levites/kohanim. All others, with certain exceptions, are required to serve according to the Torah as well as Jewish tradition going back thousands of years. It wasn't until the establishment of the state that people were given what were to be TEMPORARY exemptions. These have now become sacrosanct and not only do a disservice to the state, but place "perpetual students" in a undeserved privileged category, but is anti-Torah and cowardly. You should have served like everyone else. What makes you so special?