Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
@Yehuda Shain – you posted two contradictory things about Empire – first that “The situation at Empire today is not any better than it was when Reb Moshe advised Reb Shnuer not to serve it in the Yeshiva”, and then that “Empire had for a number of years the Hashgocha of KAJ (Breuer’s) at Empire. A short few years ago (3-4) Empire took on another Heimish Hashgocha, KAJ notified Empire, we are removing our Hashgacha, as it does not meet anymore our standard of Kashrus. Which one is it – Empire now is as problematic as you claim it was back in the 1970s-1980s (Rav Shneur Kotler was Niftar in 1982, so your story can’t be from later than then), or was it fine when it was under KAJ but now is no longer fine when it’s under the OU and Tartikov?
As an aside – I personally spoke with Rav Yisrael Belsky ZT”L re: Empire back in the early 2000s, and he was adamant that the Empire standards were as high as anything else out there in the market – his statement was “I don’t stand for any Kulos”. If you think you know better than him, then please, explain yourself.
FYI – there was an article on Empire on YWN back in 2020, when they dropped the KAJ Hechsher. It is at https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/general/1885365/in-depth-analysis-why-did-kaj-pull-their-hechsher-from-empire-kosher-chickens.html
an Israeli Yid
@YYA – sorry for commenting in this thread – but that statement was just so outrageous I could not let it pass without challenging it.
an Israeli Yid
@SJIK – you’re statement that “At might shabbos tish, like many, we encourage our kids to eat the chulent saying “yeder bundel hargit a tziyoni”” is both shocking and sickening. Did you not ever hear about what Bruria Eshes Rv Meir said to him about “Yitamu Chata’im min haAretz” – Chata’im v’Lo Chot’im?
Even according to your (incorrect, in my view) Shita, you should be saying “yeder bundel brengt tzurik a Tziyoini in Tshuva”. To wish death on your fellow Jews? “U’lefi shehozi es atzmo min haKlal – kafar b’Ikar”.
an Israeli Yid
@YYA – while I often disagree with you, I appreciate your civility and thoughtfulness in trying to truly understand the issues from more than one perspective. So, as to your questions:
1. A Druze who falls in battle defending Jews should be appreciated and valued, and I’m sure he receives his Sechar in the Olam haEmes. Whether or not he’s a “Kadosh” is a question with no specific practical ramifications – so I leave it to HKB”H to decide if he is or is not a Kadosh.
2. As noted above, there is no practical Halachic import to calling someone a Kadosh. That being said, the classic use of the term was someone who was killed because he was a Jew, or perhaps while defending Jews. How far this goes is debatable – one can reasonably hold that defending the existence of a Jewish state that itself protects Jewish lives, even if a specific act did not directly defend the lives of other Jews, is effectively indirectly defending the lives of Jews. Does that apply to non-Jews too? I don’t know – but it makes little practical difference. I definitely appreciate the Druze and Bedouin IDF soldiers who serve honorably and well in the IDF, a number of whom have given up their lives – that is basic Hakaras haTov, which all Jews should feel towards those who defend us. It is also important to express this to their respective communities and families – that, too, is basic.
As to other Jews who died defending Jewish lives – there is obviously no need for them to be soldiers to be considered Kedoshim. I can’t make a blanket statement that ALL of them are Kedoshim, the same way that I can’t make a categorical statement that all soldiers are Kedoshim – that is up to HKB”H. They could well be, though, depending on the circumstances.
an Israeli Yid
@SJIK – your dash is contrary to Halacha Pesuka. The Rambam specifically allows Jews going out with weapons even as a deterence – no need to try to find non-Jews or run away first, or it will just further encourage attacks on Jews. Your reference to the Shalosh Shevuos is also not relevant – defending Jewish lives, wherever such Jews may be, is docheh an agadeta.
an Israeli Yid
@YYA – where did I say that the need to defend Jewish lives has to do with whether or not the State of Israel is “Aschalta d’Geula”? I deliberately din NOT say that, as that is not relevant to the question at hand.
The issue being addressed is quite simply that Jewish lives are in danger and need to be defended – period. That is why it is necessary to have a trained army, and to operate al pi derech hateva – which includes taking likely future developments into account. Do I wish it were not necessary to take world reaction into account? Especially as the parent of several combat soldiers who quite literally putting their lives on the line in this war, absolutely. However, when operating on a national scale, the immediate benefit has to be weighed against the longer-term cost – and that is what is being done here. Without the ability to acquire weapons and raw materials, the Jews in Israel would C”V have a short and bleak future – and that is why attention needs to be paid to world reaction.
an Israeli Yid
@YYA – there is nowhere in the the Shulchan Aruch that it says or implies that the groups need to be ad-hoc – in fact, if the foal is to deter attack, it would seem that a TRAINED force is what is required. The fact that the Halacha in question is in Hilchos Shabbos is irrelevant to the main point – it is there to make it clear that EVEN on Shabbos, this should be done, not that ONLY on Shabbos this should be done.
The Rambam (quoted above by RightJew) makes it clear that going out on Shabbos is an obligation for EVERYONE – וּמִצְוָה עַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁיְּכוֹלִין לָבוֹא וְלָצֵאת וְלַעֲזֹר לְאַחֵיהֶם שֶׁבַּמָּצוֹר וּלְהַצִּילָם מִיַּד הָעוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים וּמַזָּלוֹת בְּשַׁבָּת. The language used – ומצוה – and the statement that ALL who can should participate clearly implies that this has the Halacha of a Milchemes Mitzva; and in a case where it’s clear that such a situation is likely to occurred, making oneself ready to participate in the best way possible would seem to at least be a Hechsher Mitzva.
Your crack about “political considerations” is also misguided. In most cases, it is world pressure that causes Israel to hold back from using full force. Unfortunately, paying at least some attention to this is necessary in today’s world, where Israel is dependent on the world for weaponry and raw materials for the weapons it manufactures itself. I agree that this is not optimal – but it’s necessary.
As to your comment on the Gedolim not needing to explain themselves – actually, I strongly disagree with you, and your comment is not in line with the traditional Litvish approach. It is true that Chasidim held that you follow the Rebbeh without question – but Litvish Rabbonim were expected to back up their Piskei Halacha with sources and reasoning – blind faith, per the Litvish Derech, is limited to HKB”H. “[P]rivately explain[ing] things off the record” does not take the place of providing a public explanation that can be reviewed by others – and when “facts” that are visibly inaccurate are repeatedly cited as the reason for their positions, it makes it seem that the true reasons are not necessarily Halacha-based. Peak is supposed to be based on applying the Halacha to a given set of facts – but when the facts are not as purported, the Psak will not be correct.
an Israeli Yid
@YYA – in response to your comment about an ad-hoc group only being what’s allowed – the Rema’s haga’a that ואפילו לא באו עדיין אלא רוצים לבא clearly seems to contradict that, in that it contemplates there being an organized group that goes out on Shabbos so as to dissuade attacks. That definitely seems to imply some sort of organized defense force that can do so – not a bunch of Yeshiva guys with baseball bats.
As to your comment on what the “real goal” of “Secular Zionism” is – you are what the Chazon Ish ZT”L calls a “good Polish soldier”, still fighting yesterday’s battles. The classic secular Zionists are for the most part long gone – the percentage of Israelis who consider themselves Dati or Chareidi is upwards of 30%, with a significant further percentage considering themselves traditional (“Masorati” – not to be confused with the Conservative movement, which has tried to take this term for themselves). Even amongst those that are really secular, the vast majority have no interest in making the religious less Frum – they just want to be left alone to live their lives as they wish, with minimal “religious coercion”. Using an argument that may have been relevant 70+ years ago in today’s situation makes no sense – similar to the way using the Gemara’s description of blood letting as the treatment given by a good doctor to justify such treatment today would be ridiculous.
Bottom line – Zionist ideology is not the reason for Chareidim to serve. The reason, as posited by the original poster in this thread is the Halachic obligation to come to the defense of one’s fellow Jews. As noted above, I have yet to see a logical explanation that explains why this Halacha is not applicable today.
an Israeli Yid
@Yaakov Yosef A – I agree with your comment that “Gedolei Yisroel also know how to read Shulchan Aruch”. What I have yet to see from them, though, is an explanation as to WHY, exactly, this particular Se’if in the Shulchan Aruch does not apply to the present situation. A clear, cogent, and logical explanation is called for here – the concept of “it’s so because I say so” is not accepted in Torah except from HKB”H.
an Israeli Yid
@RightJew – good luck with that approach. Those who refuse to help in the defense of Jewish lives will darshen away about how that doesn’t apply to these specific circumstances for one reason or another – ignoring the plain language of the Shulchan Aruch. They’ll also call you an Apikores for not blindly trusting the “Gedolei haDor” who say that this does not apply without even the fig leaf of explaining WHY it does not apply.
an Israeli Yid
Did you actually look into the background of this event? This was the continuation of an ongoing confrontation between a group of “settlers” and Arab residents of local villages. I don’t have enough information to judge the situation – but you definitely do not if you’re going by the video alone.
So let said “Gedolim” explain why they told their followers to leave the Beis Medrash and go protest. If those leaders believe that Torah learning is so efficacious in providing protection, then they should order their followers to learn more – not to protest.
an Israeli Yid
@yankel berel – thank you for your summation and rebuttal of the points raised by some of the local unthinking posters.
an Israeli Yid
@Hakatan – you should call yourself Hamekaten, as you belittle any good that HKB”H does to or via the State of Israel or the IDF – you are congenitally unable to acknowledge that perhaps – just perhaps – HKB’H’s cheshbonos vis-a-vis the “evil Zionists” may be different from yours. כִּ֣י לֹ֚א מַחְשְׁבוֹתַי֙ מַחְשְׁב֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם וְלֹ֥א דַרְכֵיכֶ֖ם דְּרָכָ֑י נְאֻ֖ם ה
Our duty is to acknowledge, thank, and follow HKB’H based on what we see and what he has told us – not to try to distort what we see to fit our preconceived notions.
an Israeli Yid
And some other ujm pronouncements:
White is black
War is peace
Truth is falsehood
Day is night
All equally correct and authoritative.
an Israeli Yid
Note that Rav Yitzchak Zilberstein referred to the successes in the recent war against Iran as “The revelation of HKB”H” – see the YWN article on this at https://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/israel-news/2416764/harav-zilberstein-were-seeing-the-revelation-of-hakadosh-baruch-hu.html.
As I commented on that article – we say that Megalgilin Zechus al yedei Zakai. Does the fact that the IDF is the group that HKB”H granted this Zechus to indicate that they are, in fact Zakai – at least according to Rav Zilberstein?
an Israeli Yid
@JustThink – would you prefer an echo chamber? At least when I was younger, we were taught to debate topics in Torah and Halacha, bringing in Pesukim, Memros, Gemara, Rishonim , and Achronim – and logic – to support our position – think about the way you learned in Beis Medrash back when you were in Yeshiva. At least when I was younger, we were allowed – even encouraged – to question our Rabei’im’s positions, though obviously respectfully.
If you’ve read my comments over time, you’ll recognize that that’s what I do here. My views may be in the minority on this forum, but I base them on classic Halachic and Hashkafic sources. I’d have thought that ones raised on the classic shakla v’tarya of Gemara would be able to respond on point, rather that simply saying the equivalent of “well, I outsourced by thinking ability to Gadol X from 100 years ago and he said Y – so you must be wrong”. Perhaps Gadol Y’s position is still relevant, perhaps not – but to discuss it and its reasoning is completely legitimate.
The Yeshiva world in general sould welcome debate and discussion, as is classic in Yeshivos throughout the world. Mindless groupthink is not part of the tradition of our great Yeshivos – and should not be part of “The Yeshiva World” either. That’s why I post – to make people think.
an Israeli Yid
@Square_Root – you and I may believe this, but the Yeshivish world and its leaders will twist themselves into pretzels to come up with reasons as to why they, in fact, are right. Good luck trying to convince them – “einayim lahem – v’lo yir’u”.
an Israeli Yid
I recall that the issue is teaching one’s own daughter Gemara – not a girl or woman learning Gemara. In other words, my daughter can not be taught Gemara by her father – but if she chooses to pull out a Gemara and learn Dad Tomi with Rav Eli Stefansky’s on-line Dad Tomi Shiur, there’s no issue.
an Israeli Yid
@EBROWN – your statements on the army in the times of Tanach are demonstrably false. Just an easy example – look at Yiftach’s army, described by the Navi as being constituted of “Anashim Reikim” – empty people – who were presumably not nearly at the level of observance that your cheder rebbbi would have you believe. Yet, when Klal Yisrael needed rescuing, Yiftach and his people were whom they turned to.
The army today is not run by Shomrei Torah uMitzvos – that is true. However, the army as a whole is very willing to make accommodations for those that are, including setting up specific units that are designed for not just a Frum lifestyle, but a Chareidi lifestyle. Are things perfect? No – there is still room for improvement, of course. But the army is making a good-faith effort, and there is no doubt that with Chareidi involvement and cooperation, the situation could be made better yet. So, it behooves Chareidim to get involved and work toward this goal – instead of sitting on their hands while the rest of Klal Yisrael, including a great number of Bnei Torah, puts their lives on the line to defend them and their fellow Jews.
an Israeli Yid
@Non Political – don’t hold your breath waiting – @ujm is like a computer with a full disk – it is incapable of absorbing new data, and will therefore provide all answers based on the outdated data it already has on file.
an Israeli Yid
Rav Yissachar Shlomo Teichtal HY”D was also a major anti-Zionist – until he changed his view in the midst of the Holocaust and became a Zionist, writing his magnum opus “Eim haBanaim Semeicha” to explain his change of heart an new Shita. Using a letter from a Gadol that was written 125 years ago in a very different circumstance as an absolute indication as to how he’d feel about a situation today is as ridiculous as relying solely on medical knowledge from 125 years ago to treat a disease today, while ignoring any developments in the interim.
an Israeli Yid
@Ex-CTLawyer – copyright law is not my area of specialty, but it seems to me that the sections quoted may be covered by the “Fair Use” doctrine – what do you think?
an Israeli Yid
How about answering the phone with a Shinui – i.e., pushing the button with a knuckle or the like? The main Issur with a phone is making the connection, not speaking once it’s made. Considering that (a) according to most Poskim, electricity for uses other than an incandescent bulb is a derabanan, and (b) answering with a shinui is also a derabanan, it would seem that that would be preferable to having someone from Hatzala possibly do a deoreisa by driving over.
an Israeli Yid
It’s shocking, I say – just shocking. Who’d have thought Chareidi leaders would be hypocritical?
Oh – wait…
an Israeli Yid
How about a not-so-peaceful dismantlement of ujm and those of his ilk, who are dangerously close to being Rodfim? Their mindless nattering provides philosophical cover and support for those would would kill all Jews in Eretz Yisrael – thereby actively endangering the lives of close to eight million Jews. Note that I do NOT call for physically attacking ujm, and he should be left alone – but he should think about what he’s saying before posting it.
@Square_Root – the Satmar Rav, R’ Yoel Teitelbaum Z”L, was a major Talmid Chacham who was helpful to and cared for any Jew who came to him for assistance. You and I may think that his Hashkafa was deeply misguided, but his Ahavas Yisrael was unquestioned – so your critique of him is misguided. His successors, on the other hand, are a different story, and some of them definitely meet the description that you’ve given – but you should be careful to get your facts right before posting.\an Israeli Yid
@essmeir – if you took the amount you contribute to social security and invested it in, say, the S&P 500, then purchased an annuity at retirement, you’d almost definitely do significantly better than the amount you’d get in social security benefits.
As my accountant explained to me – someone who is not self-employed and works outside of the US CAN NOT pay social security, and will not get benefits – that’s how the system works. Having someone set up a non-US company so that one is an employee is a completely legitimate way to avoid the need to pay US social security – and for most people, the idea of paying an additional 15% of income for a potential future benefit, on top of the 15% paid as Bituach Leumi, is just unaffordable.
an Israeli Yid
@Always_Ask_Questions – per the advice I heard, incorporation can help, but can be expensive. In Israel, there are rules about bookkeeping and reporting for a corporation, and following these rules can requires having an accountant and certain record-keeping systems. It could be expensive enough to make it not worthwhile to avoid paying the social security tax, as the social security tax can be less than the cost of having a company!
an Israeli Yid
The law is the law – period, and chilul Hashem is chilul Hashem, – period. There’s no way to justify filing a return inaccurately because you don’t like the fact that there’s no US-Israel totalization agreement or how the PFIC rules work, and the chilul Hashem that will result when it’s found that Jews are coming up with reasons why the law does not apply to them is very significant.
I have a friend who is a US CPA who had to deal with a bunch of fraudulent claims of the child tax credit by Israel-resident US citizens – it got bad enough that just about anyone claiming the credit from Israel was flagged for audit, especially if the number of children seemed unrealistic to the IRS (tell them about families in Israel with 15+ children…). They don’t like the laws? As one commentator above said – renounce your US citizenship. Else, for work income, use a corporation (or an entity that elects to be treated as a corporation for US purposes), and for investment income, invest in either US mutual funds or Israeli funds that are not structured as corporations. I spoke with my CPA who explained this to me – it’s a bit of an inconvenience, and there could be some cost, but it does solve the issue.
an Israeli Yid
@Chaim87 – I don’t disagree with what you state – I only noted that the majority of pre-war European Gedolim opposed Zionism, without noting why. Given all that’s happened since, and what Israel and Zionism are today, I most certainly agree with you that it is far from clear that they’d continue to have the same attitude.
@Haimy – “Ulifi shehotzi atzmo min haklal, kofer b’ikur”. Your attempt to find excuses to separate from the rest of Klal Yisrael is contrary to “Kol Yisrael areivim zeh l’zeh”. As I stated before – you’ve chosen a position, and are now trying to twist anything you can to justify it. The fact that the leaders of the modern State of Israel are not Frum does not negate you – and any other Jew – having an obligation to protect your fellow Jews when they’re in physical danger. And don’t give you your “We appreciate the selflessness of many putting their lives in danger for the sake of others” – we don’t need or want your appreciation – we want you here by our sides. You have a twisted concept of Hakaras Hatov when you are deliberately imposing additional burdens on those you claim to be makir tov to through your cowardly failure to join them.As to whom the leaders of the land are – you know that there is a question asked as to why we celebrate Channukah, given that Beis Chashmona’i ultimately went bad. The answer given is “Lifi shechazra malchus l’Yisrael yoser mimasayim shana” – because Jewish sovereignty was restored for over 200 years (actually a bit less, but that’s what the Gemara says). In other words – Jewish sovereignty, even when the Jews in question are not Shomrei Torah uMitzvos, is considered an inherent positive.
So go on your merry way, smugly self-satisfied that you are following “THE GEDOILIM”. Just don’t fool yourself into thinking that what you’re doing is showing consideration for your fellow Jew through your unwanted “appreciation” – you can keep that to yourself, as we don’t need or want it.
an Israeli Yid
@Haimy – you have a conclusion you want to reach, and dismiss anything that would lead elsewhere.
The quote from Rav Chaim Voloziner is his view and is worthy of respect as such, but is not necessarily widely accepted – are there others who say something similar? If so, please do note whom they are. Also, it’s not clear if the second sentence re: not being able to do so today is from Rav Chaim or not – can you please clarify?
One interesting point – many great poskim were also administrators of communal institutions or dealt with the day-to-day lives of their Kehilos, so they had significant knowledge of everyday life. In fact, I was told by one Rav that the reason he Orech HaShlchan was the main Sefer used for Halacha in Europe was that its author was a practicing Rav of a town – so the piskei halacha were grounded in practical experience.
Not all Rabbanim in Europe did not agree with Zionism, though clearly the majority did not do so. In the Sefardic world, there was much less opposition – but it also was much less prevalent. But all of that is besides the point – the Zionism of that time is significantly different from the Zionism of today, and it is unknown how many of the Gedolim of yesteryear would relate to the currently-existing State of Israel. And please, don’t compare Religious Zionism with Meshichist Chabad – Meshichist Chabad is more akin to early Christianity than to Judaism, as they believe in a false Mashiach who will have a second coming. Comparing it to non-Meshichist Chabad is something I’d disagree with, but is more reasonable – I may think it’s wrong, but it is not a Hashkafic issue where they are no longer practicing Yiddishkeit.
With respect to a Milchemes Mitzva – you are too quick to dismiss your potential obligations in such a scenario. Where do you see in the Halachos of a Milchemes Mitzvah that you need an “acceptable army framework” to join such a Milchama??? “Gedolei Torah” do not plan and fight battles any more than they perform surgery – they should be consulted on the Halachic aspects of both war and medicine, but the bottom line is that the experts are the ones who decide on both how to fight and how to operate. It should be noted that one of the key aspects of the newly-forming Chashmonaim Division is specifically that it will have Chareidi poskim for Halachic matters – so there’s that issue addressed.
an Israeli Yid
@yacr85 – you clearly are not familiar with the situation on the ground here in Israel – or in Gaza and Lebanon, for that matter. The pressure of the combined air and ground war are what drove Hezbollah to agree to a ceasefire and what is forcing Hamas into a deal – so contrary to what you’re saying, they’re very much effective. You are simply making excuses for not participating.
an Israeli Yid
You know, it’s interesting that nobody in this thread has taken the time to actually go through the ma’areh mekomos in the article to explain why they are incorrect or not presented/interpreted properly. Instead, the thrust of the responses are either that “anything associated with Zionism is bad; ergo, we can ignore the whole topic of protecting our fellow Jews”, or “the Gedolim (to include Chareidi Gedolim only) have said no, and we have to follow them” – even though Na’aseh v’Nishma was said in response to HKB”H, not human beings.
This is a topic that warrants serious discussion of the relevant Halachos, whether or not you agree with the Rabbi Dr. Zivotofsky. If the issue is Zionism, have you considered the general Chiyuv to help defend the lives of your fellow Jews, and whether disagreement with Zionism renders one patur from such chiyuv? If you are relying on “the Gedolim”, have you seen detailed arguments from them refuting the Halacha Pesuka that was brought in the article, or explaining why, in light of the facts on the ground (and not the facts in their dreams) those Halachos don’t apply? Reputable Rabbanim will generally explain their psak on the most mundane issues – why not on something of such significance?
an Israeli Yid
Well-written and well-reasoned – but unfortunately, the Chareidi leadership has continually refused to engage in the specific arguments brought, and their followers have been indoctrinated to believe in Rabbinic infallibility via the imposition of the new concept of “Daas Torah” and following THE “Gadol haDor” – something that did not historically exist. Perhaps there will be those who actually use the reasoning ability granted them by HKB”H to actually look into the issues – but it is likely to only be a few yechidim, unfortunately.
A Lone Soldier is a soldier who does not have local support from family. The presumption in the Israeli army is that soldiers have family at home who can support them with erends, housing, and meals when they’re on leave – and those who lack that are given certain benefits to account for that. These benefits include extra time off (to run errands) and extra pay (since they need to pay for housing and food when not on base).
Lone soldiers are not only those who come from Chutz l’Aretz – the category includes those who, for whatever reason, are not supported by family. This can be due to a dysfunctional family at home,. not all that uncommonly, someone from a Chareidi family who has been cut off to one extent or another for having joined the army. Someone from Chu’l also needs the extra time, and has costs that parents may have difficulty paying – so they’re absolutely entitled to the benefits of being a Chayal Boded.
an Israeli Yid
I recall seeing the story about his discussion with the Satmar Rav in a Jewish Observer article many years ago.
As to the fact that Reb Shraga Feivel held the Satmar Rav in high esteem – it is possible to respect someone but still not agree with him. The fact that history has moved on to the point where many of the views then expressed are either no longer relevant in current circumstances or shown to be wrong by subsequent events does not lessen the greatness of those who expressed those views. They were human, and reached their conclusions based on their understanding of the facts as they saw them.
an Israeli Yid
@lakewutt – I understand and in many ways agree with your sentiment – but it is an unfortunate fact that many in the US, and not only in the Yeshiva Velt, see Israel as something far away with minimal impact on them. The bigger issue in my view is what @pekak said about “life going on as usual in E”Y” – for most Israelis, it most certainly is NOT. I have heard from relatives in Chareidi Yeshivos in Yerushalayim that they don’t really feel the war – but that is a small subgroup of people in Israel. It is the group in Israel that is most closely connected to the Lakewood institutions that put on the event in Philadelphia – so perhaps that is why not much consideration was given to what’s going on in Israel.
an Israeli Yid
@ujm – your statement that “Every country, including Israel, exempts multiple classes of people in society. Including, but not limited to, judges, elected politicians, legislators (MKs), university students/educators, certain entertainers, journalists, conscience objectors, Arab Israeli citizens, etc.” is just not accurate. There have been numerous cases of judges and politicians being called up, and universities have had to make accomodations for the massive numbers of students and instructors that were or still are in Miluim. Entertainers and journalists have also been called up, and have been both injured and killed in the war. Conscientious objectors get called – and generally end up in jail if they refuse to serve.
There is an exemption for Arabs – something given due to the fact that it was considered unwise to force them into a situation where they’d potentially be fighting close relatives. There are a number, though, who volunteer and serve.
If you’re going to try to make a point, you need to use facts – not fiction that can be easily disproven by anyone doing a bit of searching on line.
an Israeli Yid
Does the IDF want Chareidim? Unequivocally yes. The IDF needs people, period – they’re in the process of opening up new units as we speak, and needs people to staff those units. If Chareidim are able to fill those roles, the IDF very much wants them in the mix.
There are certain logistical issues with respect to Chareidi service that need to be addressed – and the IDF is very willing to do so. This ranges from male-only units and bases to specific standards of Kashrus – but the Chareidi community needs to engage on this to make it happen.
There are those who, for purported or real ideological reasons, will not serve. This includes those who follow the Eida haChareidis and refuse government benefits as well as army service – and while I do not agree with their view, I acknowledge that they are at least internally consistent. UJM and others that purport to follow their views, though, are mere trolls and kefuyei tova – and seem to somehow ignore the Rambam and Rema on what is required when someone attempts to harm Jews. Then you have those above like Leibidik Yankel and BY1212, who spout flat-out non-truths about what the army and government want.
I was at three Levayos yesterday for 21-year-old Bnei Yeshivos who gave their lives to protect Klal Yisrael. They were killed along with five other soldiers – four non-Bnei Yeshiva Jews and one Druze. The army did not send them to the front lines because they were “mizrochnik” Bnei Yeshiva – they were in combat because they felt an Achrayus to protect Klal Yisrael. As one of the fathers said, his son told him “If I don’t do it, who will”? It’s not that he did not want to stay and sit in Yeshiva – it’s that he saw that he had an achrayus to the Tzibur, and did not shirk his responsibility.
Saying the IDF needs to work on accomodating Chareidi sensibilities is legitimate. Coming up with ever-changing excuses as to why Chareidim should not serve is not.
an Israeli Yid
We have to continue with our Hishtadlus al pi derech hateva, while continuing to daven for the development of Medinat Yisrael into Malchus Yisrael led by Mashiach Tzidkeinu. For now, while Medinat Yisrael is far from perfect, we should celebrate the return of Jewish sovereignty to at least a portion of Eretz Yisrael – after all, Chazal said that even though Malchus haChashmona’im was problematic (Kohanim as kings, the later kings not following Torah uMitzvos), we still celebrate Chanukah “l’fi shechazra malchus l’Yisrael yoser me-masayim shana” – because sovereignty was returned to the Jews for over 200 years (actually about 178, but whatever).
Jewish sovereignty in Eretz Yisrael was seen as an inherent positive – even if the Jews ruling Eretz Yisrael were less than perfect.
an Israeli Yid
I’ve regularly bought Brooks Brothers suits for years, and every single one of them had the exact same Shatnez issue – the collar stiffener, which was 100% linen. Fortunately, it’s a pretty easy fix, but you need to make sure that the one fixing it is Makpid to completely remove the entire old stiffener before sewing the new, non-linen one, in place. It can be easier to just cut the old one out, leaving edges in place, rather than ripping out at the seams.
an Israeli Yid
Did you try calling Torah Vodaas? They may have the names/numbers of the members.
It is quite the commitment, and as an Israeli, I am touched by your gesture. This is not for everyone, but as Sam Klein said, you are being Noseh b’Ol Chaveiro in a way that is meaningful.
I note that here in Israel, some people specifically do listen to music now as a way to keep themselves from drowning in the situation – and that is proper too. It is akin to the Abarbenel hiring musicians to play for the Jews leaving Spain on Tisha b’Av in 1492 – he felt that the need to strengthen the spirits of those being expelled was enough of a reason to override the general Issue of music on Tisha b’Av.
an Israeli Yid.
The First bank of Mommy and Daddy – after all, they’re the ones that will be financing you 🙂
Seriously, though – find a US bank that allows you to make ATM withdrawals abroad without fees – First Republic, A”H, used to do this, but I think TD or Capital One may also have this; you should check them out. This will enable you to have cash transferred to you in Israel by having someone in the US (rich Shver?) deposit USD and you can then withdraw as NIS.
In Israel, the services are relatively similar – so it will really be more a matter of convenience. Note that as a non-Israeli, you may have restrictions on having your account go negative – so you should check that out.
As to credit cards – I completely agree with the suggestions above on having a US credit card that does not charge foreign fees. This can be the best way of converting funds, and certain features of US cards that are not standard on Israeli ones can be very helpful – though you need to check if there’s a country exclusion for Israel. You should also try to get an Israeli card in Israel (it’s generally the same card as the one you use at an ATM), since certain vendors either don’t take or have issues with non-Israeli cards.
an Israeli Yid
More trouble than when? The time of the Churban? The time of the Crusades? The Inquisition? Tach v’Tat? The Holocaust?
Don’t get me wrong – there are serious issues facing Jews around the world. But it’s also important to keep a sense of perspective – and a sense of Jewish history.
an Israeli Yid
To Trrolly McTrollface and Some Jew – most of those you quote were no longer alive when Rav Teictel, HY”D, wrote his Sefer. He, too, had been anti-Zionist before the war – but saw the Holocaust as a Siman Min haShamayom that he was wrong. And it would have been rather difficult to get haskamos while in wartime Hungary – which is where he was when he wrote it.
As to HKB”H’s Cheshbonos (sorry about the typo above) – those are for HKB”H to make, not us. I simply believe that He runs the world, and if He doesn’t want something to happen – it doesn’t happen. I don’t believe that Hashgacha Pratis ceased in Eretz Yisrael in 1948 and all that happened there thereafter was from the Sitra Achra, as Satmar and their hangers-on do – and if you can’t see the Yad Hashem in what’s been built here since, you are simply fooling yourself.
None is as blind as he who won’t see.
an Israeli Yid
To the resident troll – you attribute the Holocaust to Zionism. Rav Yissachar Shlomo Teichtel HY”D, one of the Gedolim in prewar Europe, wrote a whole Sefer, Eim haBanim Semeicha, on why the Holocaust was punishment for the Jews in Europe ignoring the opportunity to return to Eretz Yisrael presented by the establishment of the British Mandate in the San Remo conference. Me? I leave it to HKB”H to keep his own Chahbonos – he doesn’t need me (or anyone else, for that matter) to do it for him.
an Israeli Yid
Red – of course you can’t. It is almost funny, though,.how perfectly he personifies Chazal’s saying of “Kol haPosel -b’Mumo Posel”. He resorts to referring to me as a “malevolent misbegotten being”, which is actually quite funny considering.his role as chief troll here – and I’d say that his description is a pretty good synopsis of what.a troll is. Most definitely a real piece of work.
ujm – aside from being a Jew-hating troll, you’re also an ignoramus. Chisinau and Kishinev are the same place, yet you cite the 1903 pogrom that took place there twice.
Red – as the parent of soldiers, I fully agree. I do not.celebrate the death of Gaza civilians, but I do not mourn them either; it is simply necessary to do what must be done, while.minimizong the risk to all Israelis, both soldiers and civilians.
A brother in caring for Klal Yisrael,
an Israeli Yid