Torah Scholars, Peace and the IDF Draft

One of the most controversial issues in Israeli society and the Jewish world at large is the question about drafting Bnei Yeshiva into the IDF. 

On one hand, those in favor of the draft claim that soldiers are needed now more than ever in light of the ongoing multi-front conflict since October 7th. They claim that there is a Mitzvah to fight and defend the Land and the blanket exception to draft Bnei Yeshiva needs to end. 

On the other hand, the Charedi camp remains largely unchanged even in the context of the current war. They claim that the Bnei Torah are doing more to defend Am Yisrael by learning, more than they could do on the battlefield. 

And while this topic is extremely complex, both in terms of political narrative as well as Torah and Halachic sources on both sides of the equation, I’d like to explore in depth one facet of the discussion, namely, how exactly do Torah scholars increase peace in the world?

The source of this topic is the famous Gemara said every day at the end of davening here in Eretz Yisrael, located in Berachos on 64a (a similar Gemara also appears in Yevamos, Nazir and Kerisos)

Rabbi Elazar said that Rabbi Ḥanina said: Torah scholars increase peace in the world, as it is said: “And all your children [banayikh] shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children” (Isaiah 54:13).  Do not read your children [banayikh], but your builders [bonayikh]. 

As it is stated: “Those who love Your Torah have great peace; there is no stumbling block for them” (Psalms 119:165); 

and “May there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your palaces” (Psalms 122:7), 

because: “For the sake of my brothers and friends, I shall say: Peace be within you. For the sake of the House of the Lord, our God, I will seek your good” (Psalms 122:8–9), 

and “May the Lord give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace” (Psalms 29:11)

We say this so often but how many times have we stopped to think, why does it quote so many Pessukim? Where is the Gemara’s license to switch children with builders? Don’t we have a primary Mitzvah to teach our children Torah anyways? What is going on here?

At first glance, it might seem like the Gemara is simply offering multiple poetic ways to describe peace. But our Sages don’t mince their words. They don’t just quote things to fill the page. There is a much deeper lesson about the nature of Torah and peace hidden between the lines. 

I would like to suggest that these four subsequent Pessukim are Chazal’s description of 4 realms of society in which we find ourselves today. This concept can be hinted at in another source that we say every day in the middle of the Tachanun prayer:

Guardian of Israel,  watch over the remnant of Israel,
and do not let Israel be lost—those who say: “Hear, O Israel!”

Guardian of one nation,  watch over the remnant of one people,
and do not let that one nation be lost—those who declare the unity of Your Name:
“Hashem is our God, Hashem is One.”

Guardian of a holy nation,  watch over the remnant of a holy people,
and do not let that holy nation be lost—those who proclaim threefold holiness to the Holy One.

You who are moved by mercy, and swayed by supplication—
be appeased and show favor to a generation of poverty, for we have no helper.

We see according to these holy words of the siddur, there a three types of Jews, the remnant of Israel who say Shema Yisrael, the remnant of one people who say Hashem is One, and the remnant of holy people who proclaim the threefold holiness of Hashem. 

Who are these groups you might ask?

My personal feeling is this highlights the three main groups of Jews we find in Israel. 

More secular oriented Israelis who’s primary identity is one of nationhood. Their calling is Shema Yisrael, answering the call to the people and to the land.

National religious Jews attempt to bridge the gap between the secular and religious worlds. Their calling is connecting worlds and sanctifying Hashem’s name throughout the Land, Hashem Echad!

Charedi Jews isolate themselves from the outside world for the sake of sanctity and learning Torah. Their calling is maintaining their high religious standards and purity, reflecting Hashem’s attribute of Kedusha in the world.

Each group has its purpose, its calling and its mission. 

And might I argue, even the Charedi camp, which is often poorly understood by the outside community is not separating from Klal Yisrael because they don’t want to be part of Klal Yisrael. They are separating because they view, right or wrong, that this is the best thing they can do for Klal Yisrael itself! 

And it’s only when these three groups understand and respect each other, seeing each other as a united tapestry that makes up Klal Yisrael in Eretz Yisrael will they merit that collective whole referred to in the 4th line as a Dor, Generation. 

Only when all of these callings come together do we merit the collective whole and have the ability to continue on to the next generation. We pray for each group individually, but recognize that Hashem’s blessing and mercy come when we unite together as a harmonious unit.

And going back to our Gemara in Berachos, this is the progression of the Pessukim that the Gemara unfolds. As the Gemara mentions, true peace with Torah must be built! It doesn’t happen automatically. 

It starts with “Those who love Your Torah have great peace; there is no stumbling block for them” (Psalms 119:165).

The first stage is the love of Torah which is deeply connected to the love of every single Jew. The Talmid Chacham does not see other members of Klal Yisrael as stumbling, rather he views them as a diamond in the rough, incredible raw potential who needs work, just like him!

The next stage is “May there be peace within your walls, prosperity within your palaces” (Psalms 122:7). 

To connect deeply with those religious Jews who emphasize the physical building of Eretz Yisrael. In a sense, it is this community which serves as the walls of the religious world, connecting the inner world of Torah with the outer world of society. They view that building up Eretz Yisrael is literally the palace of Hashem and they take great pride in doing so. 

The further stage is “For the sake of my brothers and friends, I shall say: Peace be within you. For the sake of the House of the Lord, our God, I will seek your good” (Psalms 122:8–9).

Only once the Talmid Chacham has the deepest connection to all members of Klal Yisrael can he truly learn for their sake. His Torah is the Torah of brothers and friends in which he brings down Divine Peace to every corner of the Land and every heart in the nation. This is truly Torah Lishmah, for the sake of Hashem, His Torah and His people all at once.

And finally “May the Lord give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace” (Psalms 29:11).

Only through this three stage process will he and they merit Hashem’s promise of peace to His people, united, collective and whole. 

So yes, Talmidei Chachamim do increase peace in the world. But it has to be intentional. And if every Yeshiva bochur, Avreich and Rosh Yeshiva had this in mind, I believe they would also achieve the status as echoed in the Mishnah in Avos about the character needed to acquire Torah, that Talmidei Chachamim need to be Beloved by the whole nation. 

Hashem should bless his nation with eternal strength and unity to reflect His Holy Name.