DaasYochid — sarcasm aside, I think that these two points are tremendously vexing. You and I can respect one another’s sincerity. I have no doubt that the majority of chareidi people are sincere and thoughtful and passionate and genuinely good people at heart.
But at the same time, it is very hurtful that almost none of them participate in protecting our country. Think about how offensive it is to someone who has risked their life — their life! — to patrol borders, to fight terrorism, to make sure that you and I and our children will all have a place to call home, a place where we can all sit and learn as much Torah as we’d like for as long as we’d like. Imagine the frustration at seeing an enormous segment of the population say, no thank you. We can understand where you’re coming from and still be extremely angry. Nu, it would be one thing for a portion of the the population to “opt-out”. Not every person is matim. But for the entire community? Of course it doesn’t bother Israelis if a bachur in Brooklyn does not fight, or if a kollel man in BMG does not fight. They don’t benefit and don’t contribute. Nicha. But for a tremendous segment of the population to take and benefit, and to not acknowledge the ultimate contributions of the rest of the population, that is very hurtful. The Chazon Ish asked for a ptur for a small group of bochrim, not for the entire population.
Likewise, when it comes to working. Of course many chareidim work. But many don’t, and the poverty which they create becomes a burden shouldered by the rest of the nation. When someone in bnei brak chooses to not work and is ok living poorly, it’s not just that he’ll get by with less, he’ll get by on the backs of the many who work hard yomam vlayla to put bread on the table, who work tireless in all professions to provide for the needs of their families and others. When a large segment of the population says no thank you, I’m happy to live off the kindness of others, that too is tremendously upsetting.
I can understand where you are coming from, and I can respect you to some extent, but it is very difficult to be ok with it.
DaasYochid — what do you think about all of this?