The issue of approving regulations exempting religious girls from enlisting in the IDF has, for the last few weeks, preoccupied the Chareidi Knesset members who wish ensure there is no change in the matter.
According to a Kikar Shabbos News report, at the end of the week, Degel Hatorah MKs visited with the Gedolim to discuss various aspects of the regulations.
The report states that one of the most important issues is the fact that in 2010, when the Knesset passed the law, it was determined that the IDF has the right to cancel an exemption given to a female if they claim that she is an “impostor” who lied to military authorities and has been granted an exemption under false pretenses. The military may then reweigh her situation.
However, some Chareidi activists fear that many girls at various stages of a Teshuvah process will be defined by the IDF authorities as secular, and will be recruited and drafted by force despite declaring that they observe Shabbos and Kashrus.
On the other hand, sources who are involved in the issue say that if a girl is in the Teshuvah process and indeed observes Shabbos and kashrus, then there is no fear that the exemption will be revoked. Regarding those whose exemption was revoked, sources explain that in essence, they are truly not Frum.
However, all sides involved admit that the important issue is regarding the composition of the draft committee, and ensuring that Chareidi representatives will be able to impact any decisions. In addition, there is a question whether to support the draft law, or to just not object or fight it.
Another issue is regarding girls whose exemption may be subject to further scrutiny by the army. Often a girl will submit a form signed by a Dayan declaring she is Frum, but for some reason is not registered in the military computers as a student at a seminary or Ulpana, and who will then be subject to investigation and being questioned whether she is religious.
This issue arises when it comes to girls that study in a program not defined as ‘Chareidi’ by the IDF, but she nonetheless claims to be Frum. The IDF currently demands that she come to the recruitment office and face various inquiries.
According to ‘Chareidi activists’ as referred to in the Kikar report, the fact that they studied in a secular school should not mean that they should be summoned to the recruitment office. “There is a statement here by a recognized Dayan that they are Shomer Shabbos and keep Kashrus, and there is no reason to allow them to be summoned,” they say.
Maran HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita was questioned on this subject, and Kikar reports he ruled that it was strictly forbidden for a girl to report to the draft office because of the fear that she would be persuaded to enlist and that they would not recognize her being defined as religious.
Kikar concludes that Rav Kanievsky points out that reports from the Peleg are lies, and in fact, there is currently no ‘Gezeira’ compelling women to enter the IDF as they claim to be the case. Rav Kanievsky insists these reports should be ignored.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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7 Responses
There should be NO mingling whether religious or not.
A Jewish army marches on its purity mot on mingling.
Even if a Jewish man does not study Torah, he can avoid mingling.
So in essence we don’t care if a non-frum, less religious, or not yet totally observant girl is enlisted as long as “ours” is protected under the law. Nice.
What is wrong if an “imposter”, one who doesn’t want to be part of the IDF, for whatever reason – in deference to her parents or grandparents, or because she is uncomfortable in mixed barracks, or because she doesn’t believe in “serious” relationships before there is “serious” commitment, or simply because she doesn’t want to be abused or misused – is granted the right to try to avoid being drafted?
This issue is being blown out of proportion by the same cuckoos who ruin Yerushalayim by protesting every Monday and Thursday. And now they’re brainwashing American RYs about what the reality is on the ground in Israel. Everyone should please stay on their side of the ocean.
If service in the IDF by a woman is prohibited by halacha, as most hareidim hold – even a Jewish girls who is not Shomer Shabbos has a duty to refuse to serve. To try to put this is a way that doesn’t offend by making reference to intimate matters – if a law were passed requiring all women to eat pork (as an example) or to wear shatnez (as an example), even non-Shomer Shabbos women would be required to refuse and we would be required to support them. It is not just super-frummies who have a right to refuse to do an aveirah (and since the army is known for coercion to do aveiros that we don’t discuss here, all the more so).
Shuali, they can always get an office job or do sherut Leumi.
Unfortunately, there seems to be much ignorance on the issue.
The law that they are insisting should NOT be changed is one where girls are protected even if they aren’t the biggest tzidkaniyos. We care deeply that the less religious girls should also be protected. And that is why we must stand strong that the law may not be changed. Do you appreciate the efforts now?
Letting “a committee” determine the future of our daughters by sending them to be indoctrinated by the secular boot camp which is the army and putting them into an environment of intense mingling between girls and boys,
for starters, is not a small matter that is “being blown out of proportion.” It is the future of our people and should be taken quite seriously.
People who care should care about Jews on whichever side of the ocean they happen live.
Kudos to tfried, you said it beautifully!
interjection, you may not know this, but the Chazon Ish, the Brisker Rav along with every gadol in the last 50 years paskened that army service AND SHERUT LEUMI is יהרג ואל יעבור. Exactly why is for a different discussion.
Just to clarify something, the Chazon Ish specified that it’s just as much יהרג ואל יעבור for a completely irreligious girl to help her avoid military service just as much as a beis yaakov girl. So cut out the argument of “it’s only affecting non frum girls”.
A side point, the regulations, if passed can cause potentially thousands of girls to lose their petur.
The reason is, as has been much underreported in the frum media, the law creates a buffer period of 2 years when if the girl in question messes up once (which is as easy as tweeting 5 minutes after candle lighting), her case is brought to the special Committee which can take away her petur.