In a discussion convened on Thursday by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in preparation for the tens of thousands of chassidim flying to Uman for Rosh Hashanah, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri raised the issue that about 10,000 Breslovers are now considered “draft dodgers” and face arrest for this reason at the airport, i24NEWS reported.
According to the report, Deri also brought the issue to the attention of Defense Minister Yisrael Katz’s office, but no solution has been found.
During the meeting, Netanyahu said, “They are traveling for tefillah and not for a trip; a solution must be found for them.” He later instructed the Director-General of his office to examine possibilities for a solution to the issue.
In response to an inquiry, a spokesperson from Deri’s office said. “Rabbi Deri has been engaged in discussions with the prime minister for weeks in order to enable the travel of about 50,000 Israelis, from all walks of life, who have a minhag to daven every year on Rosh Hashanah at the tzion of Rav Nachman of Breslov in Uman—in light of the lack of direct flights.”
“As part of this, and due to the lack of a conscription law, Rabbi Deri drew attention to the problem that may arise with regard to about 10,000 bnei yeshivos who are considered eligible for the draft, which may create serious problems at the airport. Therefore, he suggested considering an organized outline to distinguish between travel for tefillah and travel for leisure purposes. Rabbi Deri will continue to work for all Breslov chassidim to allow them to observe their minhag and daven on Rosh Hashanah in Uman.”
(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)
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8 Responses
Of course the headline of the article is misleading as usual because this website has terrible editing. The headline implies that the Prime Minister considers them deserters.
Netanyahu said, “They are traveling for tefillah and not for a trip; a solution must be found for them.”
Hmm – how about the solution of either not traveling, or, even better – following Halacha (and the law) and JOINING THE ARMY to defend their fellow Jews????
an Israeli Yid
A very simple solution to this vexing problem.
Let them stay home!
Article: “he suggested considering to distinguish between travel for tefillah and travel for leisure”
That opens the door to also allow travel for Tishrei in 770 or Ohel.
Draft them into Ukraine army they need bodies too
Let them daven in Eretz Yisroel, why are they any more m’yuchos?
Nice to see what urgent issue Netanyahu is concerned with and dealing with. Hostages starving and beaten, meh. Thousands of reservists leaving their homes and families to risk their lives fighting in Gaza, all right. But this problem, we need to focus on it and come up with a solution. Because otherwise his precious coalition is at risk, and that we can’t allow.
There is a simple solution. Arrest them all and send them all to the same jail so they can all daven together in Eretz Yisroel rather than Ukraine. Why on earth should the Prime Minister make any special arrangements for these people when 50,000 loyal Israelis are being called up to risk their lives in Gaza?