Speaking with Israel Radio’s Reshet Bet on Sunday 1 Rosh Chodesh 5773, Shas’ MK Yitzchak Vaknin explained “It is very difficult to learn Torah fulltime. You don’t understand just how hard it is, especially for a 17-year to do.”
ISRAEL RADIO:
So is the study of mathematics and physics. What does this have to do with sharing the burden, with one fulfilling one’s responsibilities to one’s nation?
VAKNIN:
I have no doubt that serving in the military is a serious value for citizens but the study of Torah is no less serious. I can tell you limud Torah is significantly harder than physics and math. Believe me when I tell you this.
If we are left alone I promise you we will arrive at a share the burden solution that is acceptable to everyone. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid is simply adamant and unwilling to comprise and is a racist in his viewpoint. I promise you that together with the Likud and Bennett we will come up with an acceptable formula that is good for Am Yisrael. Such a program cannot be forced on an entire sector however.
ISRAEL RADIO:
But the court invalidated the Tal Law last summer. It has been close to a year and we haven’t heard a word from you. Why hasn’t Shas picked up the ball and recommended something?
VAKNIN:
I can tell you that at committee meetings with Plesner and other forums I spoke about serving. It was me who spoke about those who do not learn and we launched Nachal Chareidi back in the day. I am against the non-learners simply sitting around and they can and will serve but it must be arranged.
ISRAEL RADIO:
At the end of the day how can you sit in a coalition with Bennett and Lapid when the rabbis refer to him as ‘contemptible’?
VAKNIN:
I will not seek to be the spokesman for Maran Shlita. His words are often taken out of context from a drasha. He is a Gadol Hador and I dare say I believe he too is pained over the situation. Rav Ovadia understands our existence is dependent on the Torah learning as opposed Yair Lapid, who simply does not understand this to be so.
In politics there is no cherem. There is no such thing as saying if he joins we will not. I want to see Shas, Bayit Yehudi and Yahadut Hatorah and even Yair Lapid if he is willing to speak and compromise for if not, I promise we will be in and Lapid will find himself in opposition.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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5 Responses
A. Since when is the level of difficulty of one’s studies a basis for exemption from civil duties? Israel does not exempt its Iluyim in even the most difficult areas of science, mathematics, medicine or engineering from service. Even so, there is a very broad consensus amongst chilonim to continue to allow an exemption for a small group of true Iluyim in Torah.
B. Adrabba, the fact that the study of Torah IS difficult leads to one of the main criticisms of the current situation, namely: that no matter the number of talmidim but few are becoming significant talmidei chachamim anyway and most are barely even going through the motions after a couple of years. This is not a criticism of the current crop of bochurs in E”Y, but a reflection of the eternal truth that but few in any generation are suited to spend all their time in this world studying. For the vast majority of us that is reserved for the world to come. And if the talmidim are not studying effectively, or not at all, anyway – why should they not serve?
yofe Torah and Derech Eretz (work) since between the two of them sin is forgotten.
Ohev HaMelacha v’sonai haRabbanot (love work and hate the rabbanot).
The problem is we don’t believe it.
Yagel Libi:
From where do you get your statement that only geniuses show devote themselves to learning Torah? This is most certainly not a Jewish concept. And that we shouldn’t learn Torah in this world, but wait until the next? “Hayom Laasos…”
Learning Torah is a responsibility of all Jews in this world. But due to the necessities of life, we do make compromises. But to force people out of learning when there is no real need for them is coming from jealousy and/or lack of understanding of what being Jewish entails.
Yagel libi, when do you have time for a tour of Tel Aviv and the universaties???
Come and see how many don’t do civil service, yet “study”, not for idealic reason, but because it doesn’t suit them. Afterwards we will rediscuss the chardim issue
Save Israel, abolish the draft.