I have several issues with this letter, from the tone to some of the phrases. However, I just want to point out that there is a gross logical fallacy being promoted here (and many other places).
People are saying that the government is making it a crime to learn Torah. That’s just not true. They’re still supporting tens (hundreds?) of thousands in Kollelim. They are just making it a crime to not join the army.
Imagine this analogy: a person sits and learns 24/7. He never reads his mail, never checks anything else. He just learns. One day, the IRS shows up at his door and the police arrest him for tax evasion. Did he get arrested for learning? No. He got arrested for not paying his taxes.
A similar scenario: Someone learns his entire life. He learns 24/7 with tremendous Hasmada. He gets up to Shamayim and the Beis Din Shel Ma’alah says he’s Chayav Kareis. He says what are you talking about. How can you give me Kareis for learning? They say back that they’re not. He gets Kareis for not bringing a Korban Pesach because he was learning instead.
I’m not fully on either side on this issue. I think the country has a right to ask the Chareidim to give back (with more than just Limud HaTorah) and I think that people who actually want to learn have a right (should they have their own means of financial support) to continue learning without pressure to stop. I also think it’s fair for the government to require some form of army service or Sheirut L’umi before someone can get a job, like any other citizen.
However, this emotional straw man frustrates me to no end. No one is going to be put in jail for learning. They (might be) put in jail for avoiding army service, which they do by learning. But no one is making learning a crime.
/rant