Yeshiva Derech Chaim

DY: I think it’s a good idea and should be a middle ground that (almost) everyone is happy with. They’re learning full-time for 4 out of 6 years once they start (and they don’t have to start at 18). Their service keeps them away from women and other issues in training that people have. They’re on the Machon Lev campus but they can stay relatively isolated so they are not in close quarters with non-CHareidim every day. If more middle-ground solutions like this could be found, I think it will have a profound positive effect on all segments of Israeli society, both Chareidi and Chiloni (and everyone in between). If it works out, I think this is a great thing.

DY: It doesn’t answer that, that’s true. But people claiming that aren’t out for blood. They just have a growing frustration with people they consider free-loaders. This would make them not free-loaders. As to your other point, there is a small but noticeable opinion in the anglo-Chareidi community in Israel that those just learning actually aren’t doing their fair share. However, they very strongly think that the problems with the army preclude any way of helping. This is a tremendous option for those people. It’s not meant for dropouts like Nachal Chareidi is/became. It’s meant for those who want to learn seriously but also feel an obligation to help their country.

I made a slight error, by the way. It’s a 4-year program total. The first two years are 2 full Sedarim with tech training at nights. The second two years are army in cyber defense with a full night Seder during those years.