The company commander of the Chetz (Arrow) Company, the chareidi unit in the Paratroops Brigade, this week met with Jerusalem Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Aryeh Stern, during which time the rav explained it is not always worthwhile for a talmid yeshiva to enter the military.

The rav met with the company commander along with the NCO commanders, the sergeants of the company, telling them, “There are people whose future and growth in Torah is most serious, and their potential is great. Regarding these individuals, certainly we have the desire and ability to tell them their army service should be as limited as possible, perhaps even not to serve at all.”

The rav continued, “I know of a number of talmidei yeshiva who continued their limud in yeshiva and at home during bein hazmanim, and regarding those individuals, I believe we can say they should not serve in the IDF for their time is certainly to be spent in limud Torah”.

With this, the rav added, “Regular Yidden, those who do not have this potential to be great in Torah…they can serve three years or 2.5 years in the IDF.”

It is added the rav’s grandson is currently serving in the Paratroop Brigade.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)