Insects aren't Kosher, and neither is dirt. Inadequate washing of dishes and the kitchen in general can also result in danger to the soldier's health - and falls under The Preservation of Physical Health in Judaism, a religious requirement. There are too many bases in the army (particularly in the Ordnance Corps) where Kashrut supervisors are terrible, and the very basics are not maintained, and even the military Rabbis' officer ranks (itself a requirement set so that they would have the necessary authority) can't quite stem the tide of army inefficiency. The IDF is a failure when it comes to mess hall hygiene and Kashrut - even in the Air-Force, though the spread of catering food services instead of the old cooking crews have vastly improved the standard in recent years. But my point is, don't use the army as a standard of how hygiene and Kashrut should be. It's not the high point at all.

Recheck knesset website. Yes, most did one way or another, but not 'every'. Just a fact. Besides they can always ask their collegues that did jail time how to deal with such situations.

Most Shas MKs served in the army, oh really and how about the 7 that served in Prison? for serious crimes of fraud and theft. If your going to go round preaching " i am hollier than thou" and claiming to represent God at least have the decency to behave like a human being. 316 Commandments they cant even manage the top 10 !

Though the Knesset website info is not full. From further checks, Rabbi Nissim Ze'ev and Rabbi Chaim Amsellem did not serve in the army, but were rather released from service after several postponements. Though not mentioned at the Knesset website, Ariel Atias did serve in the army. So that's 9 out of 11, and I concede that I was mistaken in my previous statement. Still, the remaining two were legally exempt from service, and are fully ordained Rabbis rather than regular Yeshiva students.

Avi-how can a Jew not know that there are 613 commandments? The fact that some end up in prison is no suprise. Unfortunately the High Court in Israel seem to be made of people similar to you and Talula. They would take a bite at any observant Jew if given half a chance. I never believed it existed till i started to read talkbacks.

Much of the criticism comes from abroad, which makes them totally unqualified to answer. Their taxes are not supporting these spongers. Haredim use and abuse the system. They come to my neighbourhood with cans for donations and they ring and ring incessantly. Once I answered the door by mistake, and he wouldn't look at me. He got a mouthful and then some. Shas are up there with them. Their chief crook is even trying to get back into politics!

I'm not going to bother answering anyone who lives outside Israel - they don't know squat, and as you say, don't have to support them and tolerate them daily. I also get the Haredim with the collection tins coming round - and when you don't give anything - they say 'I hope you will have to spend the money on medicine" Nice eh? Very holy of them. God would be so proud!..............not!

We have plenty in our Parliament if you want some more!

Boric acid is effective, cheap, and non toxic even with the source of cockroach in the ME. http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef614.asp