We do not need explanations or reasons why it is imperative for Torah students to continue in their study without interference. They are upholding the world; they are assuring the security of the Jewish people. They are the pride and crown of Creation and the very foundation of Klal Yisroel. Up till here, our introduction is plain and clear.
But let us for a moment view things from the viewpoint of those who demand 'a sharing of the responsibility,' of those who insist and guarantee morning and evening that whoever enters the army as a chareidi will emerge from it as the same chareidi, without any changes.
Whoever wishes to know the value of these assertions is referred to the head of the Hesder organizations, Uri Pinsky, to realize how the army carries out its promises regarding those students of the Hesder program who comply with their draft orders and enter army duty.
In a Knesset discussion between the Foreign and Security committees, Uri Pinsky declared, "I wish to draw attention to the challenging problems of carrying out the orders of the joint demands of the army service both in routine times as well as in emergency situations. The army is well aware of this subject which has been aired dozens of times," he began.
"There are many conflicts in carrying out orders under the joint service and there is no enforcement of the halachic rights or serious consideration regarding this. We point a finger but receive no reasonable reply or action."
He continued to explain that the problem of orders vis-a-vis the halacha in the IDF "presents many difficulties upon our students as well as on every halacha-bound soldier. Orders are designed for one-and-all and every soldier is obligated to carry them out. This situation must be corrected so that every soldier, religious, chareidi or general, can execute his duty in service without compromising his conscience, beliefs and way of life."
He went on to say that in spite of motivation and desire, and the contribution of Hesder students, "the relationship to them should be commensurate. The relationship towards them must be made accordingly to fortify them and enable them to contribute to the country without hardship."
This refers to the Hesder arrangement when their requirements are minimal but even these, the army does not honor. We continually hear about incidents where even the most elementary promises are denied and ignored.
During this past Pesach, there were many soldiers who were misled to believe that they army was caring for their needs, only to find themselves without food of minimal Pesach kashrus, and had to rely upon their families to spare them from starvation, or to exist only on fruits and vegetables.
How ridiculous it is to read all the conscription promises to chareidi students without any real backing, even under present circumstances. The actual figure of so-called chareidim answering to conscription notices and come-ons stands at a mere few hundreds.
What will be if the forecast of those demanding chareidi army service end up with thousands of chareidim joining the army? Will the army keep its promise of providing them with their religious requirements for mitzvah-observance? Will the army be prepared to maintain an 'army within the army,' detached from the demands of 'joint service' and allow chareidi divisions to operate individually, apart from the general operation of the army?
The answer is too clear. There is no chance, or desire, to do so.
The insistence upon following orders is entrenched in the army. This will not be altered for the sake of chareidim. All those demanding the conscription of young chareidim will then man the barricades to deny chareidim from adhering to halacha within the army.
The truth is that they don't want or need them. Their purpose is to sever chareidim from their very essence in the hope that they can go on to destroy the Torah world and thereby present the threat of 'lest their multiply' hanging over them. The nightmare of those who insist on a general conscription for all is seeing one morning all of the chareidim streaming to the bases, insisting on their halachic demands without any compromises. On that 'terrible' day they will loudly demand that chareidim be denied the right to serve in the Israeli army.
