Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Rav Dovid Lau responded today to the remarks made by his Sephardi counterpart Rav Yitzchok Yosef, suggesting that chareidim should contemplate leaving the country if they face conscription into the IDF or national service like other Israeli citizens.
During the funeral of Captain Daniel Perez, who lost his life to Hamas terrorists on October 7 and whose remains have been held by the terrorist organization since, Rav Lau expressed, “We have a remarkable generation, a generation of soldiers, a generation of committed individuals, a generation who stand up and sacrifice everything to defend the people, safeguard the Torah, and protect the land.”
Further in his address, he addressed Rav Yosef’s remarks, stating, “There is no inherent contradiction among these three. They are interconnected, stemming from a singular source: the people of Israel, the Torah of Israel, and the Land of Israel.”
A week earlier, Rav Yosef commented on the draft law, asserting, “There are yeshiva students who serve in the reserves. Not every individual merits studying Torah. While everyone has the right to be a student, Torah scholars are exempt from military service under all circumstances, without exception. If they compel us to enlist, we will collectively depart from Israel. We will purchase tickets and depart. Such a scenario is inconceivable.”
He continued, “The secular community comprehends this reality, and they must recognize that without Torah study, without study halls, without yeshivas, the army cannot thrive. The accomplishments of soldiers are intertwined with the merits of Torah scholars. It is imperative for everyone to declare with pride – we are dedicated to Torah study, and it is the Torah that safeguards us.”
{Matzav.com Israel}