Minister of Science (Yesh Atid) Yaakov Peri, who heads the Knesset Share the Burden Committee, has announced he wishes to conduct a “discreet dialogue” with roshei yeshiva towards reaching an understanding on the issues involved with government plans to draft bnei Torah.
In his letter sent to the roshei yeshiva published in the Thursday 22 Iyar 5773 HaPeles Peri writes, “I would like to hear your opinion on the current realities and the emerging outline or other related issues of importance in your eyes.” Kol Chai Radio reported on Thursday morning that while rabbonim are discussing the letter, it appears they will opt not to cooperate with the Peri committee.
The letter continues “The issue of chareidi participation in the military and national service faces the current government and I believe the committee of ministers should receive a full picture, one including the broad spectrum of sectors in society towards assisting in formulating the bill.”
Peri indicates he wishes to meet with the rabbis privately towards hearing what they have to say. The newspaper is critical of the minister’s letter, calling it an attempt to legitimize the mission of the committee, which the rabbonim have already announced they oppose.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
12 Responses
Peri should be told simply that it’s charedim who are doing most of the “sharing the burden”. Learning Torah full time protects Israel more than the army does. It’s chilonim who don’t learn Torah and don’t do mitzvot who must be the ones to protect it in other ways – by arms.
It’s just a ploy to be able to say “We tried”. They are bent in destroying the Chareidi way of life. They are so “fargoyished” that they’ll never understand Daas Torah.
“Come in to my parlor,” said the spider to the fly!
The New Sefer Torah going up 17th Avenue on Sunday before Shvuos, might turn into mass rally, against the stste of Israel’s forced abdution of Bnei Torah V’yiras Shomayim.
r chaim should do to peri what the chafetz chaim did to the bachur that was michalel shabbos, cry in his hand and say torah torah
One doesn’t initiate a “discreet” anything by announcing it in the press.
I’m sure there are all sorts of “back channel” talks going on. But they won’t be publicized on YWN or anywhere else.
There is room for compromise. Israeli public opinion suggests that the highest priorities for the hilonim are to cut off public spending on yeshivos (perhaps limiting yeshiva subsidies to veterans would pacify them), increasing hareidim “working”, which means “on the books” (they can do that by saying anyone over a certain age can get a job even if they aren’t a veteran, and increasing hareidim in the military (offering money and religious toleration could pull that off). They could also use a “conscientious objector” theory to get away from having to exempt yeshiva students (same result, but a different legal theory).
So there would be lot for them to talk about, privately.
What a pity that individuals can not meet for discussion. Time to remove the battle gear and meet the ‘enemy’.
Who will discuss what with who, a person that has no knowledge and no feeling to Torah and Darkei Hashem will discuss with our best and finest how to deprive the Ribono Shel Olom from his Lomdei Torah ?????
Oh Lo Leoznayim Shekach Shomois
There might be a discreet dialogue going on with other fractions of utj
To: Seichel Brosh says:
And who would want to talk to people, who want to deprive the Ribono Shel Olom from his Lomdei Likutei Sichos and Mamorei Nisiyei Chabad, which is His Crown Jewel. Especially in Inyonei Moshiach Ig’ulah ?????
The Rabbonim shouls be steadfast.
It is always better to talk out a problem.
So far, the most vitriolic speech ahs come from the Chredi camp.
What harm is there in both sides airing their views in a calm and rational manner and, just maybe, a middle ground may be found.