After a media storm arose in the wake of the statements of HaGaon HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, who said that even yeshivah bochurim who aren’t learning in yeshivah shouldn’t serve in the army, two members of the Moetzet sent a letter of support to HaRav Yosef.
HaGaon HaRav Moshe Tzadka, the Rosh Yeshivah of Porat Yosef, wrote the letter and it was signed by HaGaon HaRav Mordechai Maya.
In the letter, HaRav Tzadka wrote that he wishes to “provide support the true and clear words fearlessly said about the magnitude of the issur to every Shomer Mitzvos to enlist in the army even if he’s not in yeshivah, and this applies to all various army tracks.”
HaRav Tzadka continued by writing that HaRav Yosef is continuing the path “of his great father, HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef, z’tl, who explicitly wrote and published his opposition to all the IDF tracks that are called ‘Chareidi,’ even for those bochurim who aren’t learning. And like a pillar of fire, he would not agree to compromise on קוצו של יו”ד for the sake of the shemirah of bochurim from the danger of recruitment. And it’s known that he wouldn’t budge an inch on this issue and did not fear the government, public opinion, or the media.”
“And who is he that would dare to open his mouth or raise his hand or foot against the da’as of the holy Torah, as stated by Maran HaRav Ovadia Yosef, z’tl.”
HaGaon HaRav Yehudah Cohen, Rosh Yeshivah of Yakirei Yerushalayim and member of the Moetzet, wrote a response to a letter this week about enlistment in the IDF.
“I was asked about a frum bochur (who isn’t learning in yeshivah), whether it’s appropriate for him to go to the army or is there a concern of a decline in ruchniyus,” HaRav Cohen wrote.
“As we know and has been publicized, there are many nisyonos in the army that are difficult to withstand,” HaRav Cohen continued. “Because of this, every frum bochur, in order to protect Am Yisrael, should dedicate his time to limmud Torah and this will surely protect Am Yisrael much more than carrying a weapon because the Torah protects and saves.”
“Therefore, a frum bochur should dedicate himself to limmud Torah and not enlist in the army due to the fear, chalilah, that his Torah and yiras Shamayim will suffer and he will lose two worlds – Olam Hazeh and Olam Haba.”
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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8 Responses
אַשְׁרֵי הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָלַךְ בַּעֲצַת רְשָׁעִים
וּבְדֶרֶךְ חַטָּאִים לֹא עָמָד וּבְמוֹשַׁב לֵצִים לֹא יָשָׁב
To whom does this Pasuk refer? I venture not the army.
an Israeli Yid
excellent news, the Zionists need to understand we know their real goal is to make us not frum, it has nothing to do with national security, it has nothing to do with protecting the land as the Torah protects us. I am happy to hear the Sefardish olam has come around to what Ashkenazi roshei yeshiva and rabbanim shlita have been saying for decades.
it is such kavod shamoyim and kavod ha torah that these Gedolim are finally saying explicitly to the greater public what is already clear in poskim.
instead of listing all those who do you can list any who may not
In the late 1970s, after leaving 5 years of kollel, I was told by Rav Elyashiv, ztz”l that I could allow myself to be drafted.
Better for our “Idle” boys to hang out on the beach or the clubs in Tel Aviv.
I have two questions for the Rabbanim who insist that our “idle” boys do not go to the lishka giyus — Will you pay for the boys to leave jail? Will you pay for their legal defense?
lbj the article DID list every gadol in Torah who has endorsed the zionist army: all ZERO of them.
As far as I understand from this,they have no problem with the non frum bochurim joining the army, or the secular army as it stands, they are allowed to ,quote “and he will lose two worlds – Olam Hazeh and Olam Haba.”
Etc etc.