If the ultra-orthodox don't want to do military service, aren't there many, many other ways to perform service to your country? Tell me, what's wrong with that? There is a Prayer for Peace that we read each Shabbat in my Conservative shul: "We are put into being to praise, to LABOR and to love" (I added the uppercase).

Put them on the battlefield with a rifle & a Torah. When the enemy comes for them, they can decide which one they want to use. I bet they PRAY that they can SHOOT the rifle!

I have one abiding memory of Operation Cast Lead . Haredim standing on a hill overlooking Gaza taking photographs as the fighting raged inside Gaza . They looked like they were on holiday as they compared their digital snaps . Totally removed from reality as IDF fought and put their lives at risk . I felt nothing but contempt for these ' students ' who gave the appearance of being at a theatre performance as lives were put at risk in order to defend their freedom .

How long are we going to support this community ? They have been accused of fraud, pedophilia( the worst thing 100 kids involved )they are supposed to love kids ha 15 kids per couple and they don't want to give anything to the nation. No way they have to do something for the money they get'

#46 worse is right! Pedophilia the worse in Israel 100 kids involved I will never forgive and forget! And that what they study all day! What a waste of money for the goverment

I do not understand why the Haredim are afraid of serving. IDF offers a giant pool of potential baalei-tschuva who once they see how moral, upright and well behave the Haredim recruits act the rest of IDF will jump to become more observant......hmmmm or not....

Like a meowing cat catches mice.

Help yourself and G-D will help you.

He confirms his status as Knesset Clown

The First Temple was destroyed for the three major sins for which one should die rather than transgress -- shedding blood, sexual immorality, and idolatry or false religion. Yishai is saying drafting Torah students is as bad as all three.

How many yeshivah students or rabbis have been convicted in Israel for murdering gay men or sexually abusing children?

How dare you refer to gay soldiers as filth. I am gay, and i serve my country, pay taxes and contribute to society, unlike your ultra orthdox pals, i gave the best years of my life serving in the IDF so that the likes of you can live in peace, You are the real abomination. Yes there are gay people in the army, we are everywhere, who knows maybe the guy next to you in shaul. My only salvation is that one of your kids will be gay.

I agree with alot of what you harbor and although the Haredi community is not perfect, smearing them all as one is also not correct. You have your mindset. They have theirs...and forcing anyone into any army is absolutely the worst thing one can do. Whether they are lazy, cowards or what have you, anyone who is forced to serve against his will is not benefitting the military.

You are so wrong. Both Temples were destroyed because of the blind fanaticism of the followers of the priests of Jehovah (today they would be called Ultra Orthodox Rabbis).

There was a massacre of gay youth that took place in Tel Aviv last year. The murderer is still at large. He was dressed as a Haredi. As for sexual abuse it has been reported in Ynet to be a problem in the Haredi community. What is unclear is whether this is MORE prevalent in the Haredi community. Considering the way it's been reported that seems to be the conclusion.

are you ashamed to put your name when you attack someone? Hide behind your computer screen you coward! I have the courage to use my name Did you do Tzava? I bet not you would be too afraid, if you did you were probably a jobnik like Sarid and Olmert I on the other hand was a tankist

no, it's a wrong understanding. participating in the defence of your people and of the land of israel, is NOT a sin. the term is "milhemet hovah". and the torah IS very clear on the subject of exemptions (a new house, a new wife, a new vineyard), the study of torah is not included. in fact, by example, moshe rabbeinu, a far greater scholar than any of these lazy bums, when he was over 80 years old, had to at least go out and "lift a hand" in the battle against amalek, for the israelites to win. are these "bochers" more precious than moshe rabbeinu?! i suggest that you need more real torah learning and understanding, and less nitpicking over irrelevant trivia.

Judging from Jewish history,God hates people who pray and study,but he helps those who work and fight.

If you ask me what G-D wants.

He stated that one must work with his hands when not studying Torah with him soul. If it was god enough for a great sage, it's good enough for the less than holy Haradim among us. Your claim that learning Torah (when violating some of the tenets like underage molestation) is saving Israel is nothing short of myopic arrogance. I believe THIS is what you're trying to protect and not some "virtue" of the haradim community.

You know exactly what God wants,but you don't know why God permitted the persecution of the Jewish people for so long,you probably are familiar with Rabbi Levy Yitzhak from Bardichev,who summoned God to court for pesecuting the Jewish people,we are still waiting for the verdict of the high court.

By the way, Rambam worked as a physician, Rashi worked as a vintner. The great rabbis always worked for a living. That's what made them great rabbis.