‘Idle’…Time for leadership to step up

Like many others from across the spectrum of the Jewish World, I am deeply upset about the latest comments from the Former Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef who said: “Even those who are idle are not allowed to go to the army,”. I prefer of course to ignore it and be internally ‘angry’, but it is already big news and this may be an important ‘moment’ when we can take the opportunity to course correct.

As a religious person myself committed to trying my best to live up to Torah values and the father of a soldier who has served, fought and lost comrades In Nahal Oz and Be’eri on October 7, in Gaza and Lebanon, the idea that those “Idle” are not allowed to go to the army really hurts. I have been to too many funerals of friend’s children to let this go.

I understand some of the challenge the Ultra-Orthodox community faces as it moves towards fuller participation in national service. Whilst many Chareidi soldiers and volunteers with Zaka, Hatzala etc have put themselves in the line of fire in this last 14 months, there really are genuine challenges. Just as the community will need to adapt so too will the the army and the government will need to develop appropriate programs/national service options.

In my personal opinion it is important people study and pray as part of the protection of the state. In proportion and with goodwill I believe most people understand this. We must, however, move away from this idea that those ‘Idle’ are entitled to not serve. This to me is a real desecration of G-d’s name and is clearly in violation of the basic Halachic requirements.

I am not an expert in this field but I know a bit about leading change and first and foremost we need leaders who have the ability and attitude to lead this change – across society broadly and in the Chareidi world…Leaders with empathy for the challenge this faces for all, with a clear vision, with a strong but gentle hand and with an integrity and clear desire to do the right thing for the Jewish people, not just for the needs of the narrow community they serve.

Sadly, it appears that the leadership needed is not yet fully in place – we need these people desperately.

Maintaining the unity of the Jewish People is the biggest challenge we face and ‘baseless hatred’ is not the way. We need to move beyond the ‘denial’ phase of the change and really address the enormous challenges we face as a broad society.

I don’t like raising this issue and wish it was not before us. I respect hugely the Torah world but we all must surely address this issue before it tears us apart. Leaders who care, respect differences, embrace change need to come forward.

I will no doubt get a lot of flak for this from both ends of the spectrum but I hope people appreciate that we need to look forward not backwards and strive for unity. I hope these words are taken the right way as a message of hope and love and not one of hatred and anger.