In 2008 we should be delighted that so many Jews are still comitted to living as practicing Jews when there are so many modern distractions. Now Ynet keeps publishing more and more reports of R.Aviner's extreme positions. He is not the arbiter for the whole of the Jewish people!!!! And while we are about it, pls remember the famous prophetess Deborah leading the Hebrews to war.

in comment #1 I never mentioned any religious reason for or against serving in the army. I pointed out that in order to be able to study Torah you need to have a country where it is possible. As Israel is a democratic country you need to get the Yashiva boys and Rabbis off of their high horses and defending their own homes and schools - and stop trying to get others to neglect their duty to do the same. The actual text of the Torah is not at issue here, it is the safety and chance for those who want to study to do so without skipping out on their responsibility. Why was it ok in the Diaspora to work and study, but no in Israel?

Girls do support their men when they serve inthe army. The support the entire population. The keep our ground, sea and air safe and what better support is there than that?? These rabbis think they are God which is a sin. So many religious boys let others risk their lives while reaping the benefit of living here. Infuriating. If they serve they should get no benefits.

How would all you religious guys know that? Did you lie on these mattresses that you know such facts? There will be mattresses, there will be meat, there will be haredi men that sexually abuse pure little boys by the dozen while the community keeps silent. There will also always be girls, boys and haredi men of whom we can all be proud and say thank God for such people or where would we be now??

There is Torah obligation actually 2 of them. According to the Rambam and Ramban. The Rambam holds that Milchemet Mitzvah (Torah Mandated War) is any way that saves the Jewish Peopel from the enemy please see Hilchot Millachim. The Ramban holds that there is a positive command for the Jewish People to take control of Eretz Yisrael, even through war in every generation please see his commentary on mitzvah 4 of Sefer Hamitzvot. So you have no idea of what you are talking about. Where did you learn you "Halacha"? Appearently you have no clue. Mitzvot are not regulated to "religious" or "non religious" Jews every able Jewish male must take part in this mitzvah!

What 18 year old red blooded male is going to go 3 years without a woman. It is very important for morale that woman be in the army in mixed units. The Rabbi needs to understand everyone needs sex and no army is going to survive on eunichs.

Have you ever noticed how often it happens that an act that a rabbi finds objectionable is deemed a "desecration of God's name."? It's not enough to be wrong or in violation of halacha but instead constitute the worst of all apossible sins. I have great respect for these Torah scholars and especially those who resist the Hareidi rehections of Zionism but how about giving us a break. Instead of condeming those girls who see army service as fulfilling a mitzvah, how about working to develop ways for the army to be respectful of women regardless of their religious orientations?

which obligates jews to serve in the army is 'lo taamod al dam re'echah'. In addition note that for a 'milchemet mitzva' (such as to military action taken to protect jews) the halacha is that we even 'motziim kallah mechupatah'.

for almost 60 years ago. Ultimately, the religious camp will be one.

THESE RABIED RABBIS ARE KILLING ISRAEL W/ GOOD BUT MISGUIDED EDICTS. WHERE ARE THE LEVIS? BRING THEM BACK. JUDAISM NEEDS THEM. TOO MANY RABBIS W/ TOO MANY CONFLICTING VIEWS.

As always she tells untrue stories , and she pretends to be religious ! How does she dare , religious people have to tell the truth .

WHAT WAS THEIR 'TORAH OBLIGATION'? THEY MANAGED TO DO THEIR PART W/O YOUR APPROVAL. FEMALES DID AMERICA A GREAT SERVICE ALSO IN WW11. ROSIE THE RIVETER RING A BELL?

I haven't found the passage. But I know in Israel, as in America, the Haredi see work as an option and not an obligation.

It’s time for these Rabbis to get in to the 21st century. A complete revision of their version of Halacha for women is required

Rabbi, Pick a time machine, return to the Shoftim time and forbid Dvora to be judge. By the way, you should also forbid Ya'el, ohoh, i forgot also Esther, the one who married with Ahasverus. Huldah, how she dared to be a prophetess?!? Ruth, that shameless girl who slept at Boaz feet at open air. Are you afraid of our Judith's? Of our Miriam's? You should hide the Shir HaShirim, such an explicit work told at Pessach and Shabbat, pfff... I don't know HaShem ways, i just study, study... i'm not judge, The One, blessed be He is... But, i'll continue to study, work and judge less.

BS"D It doesn't really matter what Shlomo Aviner says, nor if he happens to be correct on this issue or not. Rabbis Lior, Yosef, and Levanon remind us that since Shlomo Aviner instructs people to transgress Torah prohibitions punishable by Karet, one may not ask him, listen to him on ANY issue, nor trust in his articles or books: http://shlomo-aviner.blogspot.com/2006/09/rabbinic-announcement-to-torah-public.html Shlomo Aviner ignored the Bet Din set up by Rabbi Mordekhai Eliyahu, even though he said he would show up and listen to their ruling.