"Your brothers will go to war — and you will sit here?": The Torah does not exempt from enlistment | Adv. Uriel Lin
Adv. Uriel Lin argues that the exemption from military service for yeshiva students contradicts the biblical commandment. He cites verses from Numbers, Samuel, and Nehemiah to show that the Jewish heritage requires an equal bearing of the security burden. The article is framed against the backdrop of the upcoming elections, where the issue of Haredi enlistment is a central topic.
Adv. Uriel Lin argues in an opinion piece that the exemption from IDF service for yeshiva students contradicts the biblical commandment. The article is framed against the backdrop of the upcoming elections, which he says will decide between two worldviews: a centralist approach seeking to reduce checks and balances and promote a religious state, versus a liberal democratic approach that rejects the concentration of power. Lin notes that since October 7, the reserve duty burden has become exhausting, with part of the public bearing hundreds of reserve days per year while others are exempt. He cites verses from Numbers, Samuel, and Nehemiah to support his claim that the true Jewish heritage rejects not bearing the security burden due to Torah study. According to him, those who act to exempt yeshiva students from enlistment act against the biblical commandment, and conversely, those who act to enlist them act in accordance with it. Lin emphasizes that no one denies the value of Torah study, but not at the expense of defending the people.