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UTJ, Yesh Atid lock horns over haredi draft
Moran Azulay
Published: 20.02.13, 18:57
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13 Talkbacks for this article
1. Cut funding to yeshivot and social benefits
Haim ,   TA   (02.20.13)
Those who dont serve will loose all benefits,enough of these lazy parasites using religion as an exscuse to sit on their holy back sides all day living off our tax money.
2. #1 yes and also
dani ,   DC   (02.20.13)
give benefits for those serving in the army -- benefits for having children, cheap business loans, housing loans, etc etc etc.
3. No Army, No Benefits
Chaim Ben Kahan ,   Efrat, Israel   (02.20.13)
I used to think that the Haredim not serving was a good thing, but seeing how this issue is so important to the rest of Israel, and seeing how the IDF will be a good organization for Haredim to become integrated into Israeli society, I now think that we must go ahead with this. I am glad we have Torah observant Jews in our nation. The years I was at Yeshiva were enough for me, it was not for me, but when I see Pork being sold all over Israel and Israelis not caring about being Jewish, I am glad that there are still devout Jews. These devout Jews must also serve in the army. It will be good for them to get some sunlight, exercise and meet other Israelis. Is the fear that they will become secular if exposed to the outside world?
4. the shame of it all.
michael Pielet ,   israel   (02.20.13)
Haim, shame on you. Keep you anti-semitic hatred to yourself. Perhaps you should consider locating yourself abroad.
5. Military service for religious jews
Istvan ,   BUDAPEST HUNGARY   (02.20.13)
is an important question. But haredi employment is even more important. Who don't work, do not eat. Hopefully it is included also in the Talmud.
6. Haredim themselves prove their arguments are bogus.
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, USA   (02.20.13)
There's a story told of an Israeli driver stopping at a hitchhiking spot to give IDF soldiers a lift. At that point a haredi youth jumped into the car uninvited. "I'm only giving rides to soldiers," the driver says. "But I'm a soldier for God!" says the haredi. "Then ask God for a ride", says the driver. Haredim insist their prayers and study offer protection to Israel's citizens, just as IDF soldiers do. But during the Cast Lead and Pillar of Defense operations, yeshiva students in the south evacuated along with other civilians for safer locations away from the borders. If they're "soldiers", why didn't they stay and provide such holy protection - to themselves and to their fellow citizens? Clearly they don't believe their own claims. As to the nonsense from UTJ, there are TWO rabbis among Yesh Atid's MKs - one Religious Zionist, the other an American-born haredi who holds both Orthodox smicha and a Masters degree from Johns Hopkins. (Times of Israel published an extensive interview with the latter.)
7. #1 - They got you by the balls ;) ,...
split ,   US   (02.20.13)
They're going to starve their kids and blame it on you - Scams and schnorring is their way of life ,...
8. #3
Mordechai ,   Beit Shemesh   (02.20.13)
Your remarks show that you are not objective, Rather you have a program to impose religion on everyone who is an Israeli, that may well have been for the 19th or 20th Centuries but that will not wash with the citizens of Israel today. You say just what Bennett is spouting. You can live however you like and i will defend you right to do so but i shall also make sure you do not impose your beliefs or standards on anyone else. What people eat is not your business and you have no right to tell them what they can or cannot eat.. What you propose like Bennett is Orwell's image of the future but we will not let it happen even if it does mean civil war. State and Religion must be separated as soon as possible, if it isn't then Israel will become a theocracy just like Iran!
9. Secularism fails Jews
Ben ,   USA   (02.21.13)
The more Jews act like non-Jews the more destruction occurs. This is true outside Eretz Yisrael and this is true inside Eretz Yisrael. Secularism is not just the absence of religion it is simply acting like non-Jews. Jews are only Jews because of Torah and mitzvos. Use your brains and think about it.. What makes you Jewish? Serving in a army or speaking Hebrew? No. It is acting like a Jew by connecting yourself to God through Judaism.
10. service for all
avi ,   givat zeev   (02.21.13)
As haredi person I agree that there must be service for all ! There is no excuse for haedi men not to do some form of service , For rabbi Litzman to refuse in the name of religion is disgraceful. He shoulnt be a minister if that is what he believes ! Why should everyone else have to and haredi boys and men not do anything ! t cant be a kiddush Hashem to allow this to continue! I havent heard a fair answer to this at all .
11. Yeshiva students and Israel
(02.21.13)
The yeshiva students have acquired volumes of knowledge. It can not be contested that the information contained therein would serve Israel's best interest, internationally as well, if some of these situations could actually be accomplished to realization for the overall and as a whole. This is where the yeshiva students can best look at the nation and bring the outstanding attributes of Judaism to all of Israel and to Light. Yeshiva students being viewed with spite wouldn't be an image serving the best interest of Israel, or, as much as some people resent the name of Zion, Zion. Points of interest and deep regard of Judaism should be brought out by the yeshiva students, especially, what it's going to take to have the peace, and of a main consideration of peace, with the Palestinians, serving common interests for the sakes of the future, inclusively minded. For all the devotion to the Torah, the totality of the considerations, read it again and see about making some tangible progress for deep-seated commonly held interests. There are Jewish that would have a very good understanding of this, including Jewish priests. They are amongst the religious and religious Levites are in Jerusalem. The understandings of the true intentions of the Torah aren't anything to shy away from no how many attempts can be made to sway the truth. There are Scripture verses that are absolute and no right to be misinterpreted or misrepresented. There's room to be liberal towards the noble, not the vile. During times like these, agreements between rabbis on the due course for the nation are vital. There is common ground between religious and secular. Righteous religious Jews would be held with high regard, even amongst righteous "secular" Jews. Let's hope and pray that there will be a mutual understanding and that the Lord bless them with righteousness, wisdom, courage and love all while maintaining the highest moral and ethical standards.
12. #8 Mordechai I am not interested in telling you how to live
Chaim Ben Kahan ,   Efrat, Israel   (02.21.13)
First off, I am not objective. I am a Jew and I want Israel to remain a Jewish nation and have a Jewish character. Secondly, I have no interest in telling Israelis what to do or what to eat, and they would not listen anyway. However, I do like that Israel has a Jewish character and being Jewish is not subject to such a degree of interpretation as the Reform would like others to think. You and others are free to eat Pork on Yom Kippur, cross dress and desecrate the sabbath, please enjoy yourself, but I am still glad there are Jews who still follow Judaism in Israel, but their observance of Judaism does not preclude them from being in the army. We served, the Haredi can serve and you can eat your pork to your heart's content.
13. What If Tribes of Israel had No warriors?
Chaim Ben Kahan ,   Efrat, Israel   (02.21.13)
We would never had the nation of Israel if not for the Jewish people willing to be warriors. Can you imagine the story of Hannukah if the Maccabees refused to fight? Not much of a story. In the end we need the Torah in one hand and a Tavor in the other.
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