A Nation at War, A People Divided: The Fight Over Military Service

Among the most difficult challenges facing the Israeli government in its war against Hamas is the strain placed on its military reservists. Historically, Israel has not engaged in long, protracted battles. However, since October 7, 2023, the conflict has necessitated a prolonged reliance on reserve forces. Over 300,000 reservists—approximately 65% of Israel's military reserves—have been called to service, often for months at a time.

Most Israeli citizens and permanent residents are drafted into the military after high school. While there are exceptions and exemptions, the general rule is that all must serve for a significant period. Before October 7, men over 18 served a minimum of 32 months of active duty, and women served at least 24 months. In July 2024, the mandatory service period for men was extended to 36 months. After their compulsory service, most discharged citizens remain eligible for reserve duty until age 40, or 45 in the case of officers.

While certain exemptions exist, such as for Israeli Arabs and some Orthodox women, who opt for national service, the most contentious exemption remains that of the ultra-Orthodox, or Haredi community. This long-standing issue has ignited fierce debate, especially since the war began. Today, 80,000 ultra-Orthodox men between the ages of 18 and 24 remain outside military service. This disparity is particularly glaring as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) grapples with a severe manpower shortage, recently reporting the need for 12,000 new soldiers, including 7,000 for combat roles.

The approximately 13,000 Haredi men who reach the age of conscription each year could more than address this shortfall, offering a tangible solution to both the military’s urgent needs and the glaring inequity in Israeli society.

As of the writing of this Shabbat message, the Israeli government faces a political crisis. The ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party has threatened to introduce a bill to dissolve the Knesset due to the coalition’s failure to pass legislation exempting yeshiva students from conscription—a goal UTJ has pursued for years. Last year, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected such exemptions, marking a turning point in the debate.

A law reinstating draft exemptions is opposed by a significant majority of Israelis, including members of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud party. If UTJ moves forward, the government may lose its ruling majority, triggering new elections within three months.

This issue has been a source of division for decades. It not only antagonizes Israel’s secular majority but also alienates the national religious community who serve proudly in the IDF, further marginalizing the ultra-Orthodox and deepening societal fractures. Successive Israeli governments have avoided addressing the problem due to their reliance on ultra-Orthodox parties to form coalition governments. However, with the Supreme Court's ruling, postponement is no longer an option.

This debate is not new in Jewish law. In last Shabbat’s Torah reading, Parshat BaMidbar, God instructs Moses to count all men between the ages of 20 and 60 who are capable of bearing arms—a census that anticipated the military struggles ahead as Israel journeyed to its homeland.

In this week’s reading, Parshat Naso, a separate census is taken of the tribe of Levi, who were exempt from standard military service due to their sacred responsibilities regarding the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Yet their exemption was conditional. But our Rabbi taught that their draft exemption was not absolute. They were not subject to the draft for what a Rabbi’s called Milchemet R’shut, or an “optional war,” a war waged for purposes other than the national defense. But they would be required to serve if the nation was attacked, or the purpose of what was considered Milchemet Chovah, an “obligatory war.” Everyone, even the religious leaders and functionaries normally granted an exemption would not be exempt under these circumstances.

It is not my place to engage in Israeli political affairs. However, this issue has reached a breaking point, one that impacts national unity and military readiness. The burden of defending Israel must be shared equally, especially when the current military demands are so pronounced.

Haredi leaders who insist upon exemptions are on shaky halachic (Jewish Legal) grounds, and they know it. Now, you know it as well.