The political crisis surrounding Haredi enlistment can be discussed from various angles.
Let us set aside the historical analysis of the formation of Haredi society; let us also set aside past attempts at unbalanced "openness", which, over a long process, exacted a heavy price of assimilation—which some call a “silent Holocaust.”
Nor will we discuss the merits of Haredi society at this time, as a full picture would require a book, not an article. And above all, different timing.
And I write as a supporter of responsible Haredi conscription.
Let us focus solely on the practical level: let us try to be wise, not just right. Spouting slogans is easy; putting them into practice in a complex reality is the real challenge.
1. A Basket of Values vs. a Single Issue
The significance of the National Camp’s existence is judged by a whole basket of values: security, settlement, the economy, Jewish identity, immigration policy, education, free media, reforming the justice system, and also the enlistment of Haredim.
Ask yourselves about the overall direction of the coalition versus the opposition: Who will lead this comprehensive “basket” better?
Is it right to abandon all the values in this set because of a dispute over a single issue, however important it may be?
2. Not just ‘who will enlist,’ but ‘who will lead’
Is serious judicial or media reform possible in a government led by Yair Golan, Lapid, Bennett, and Eizenkot? Will sovereignty in Judea and Samaria be advanced? Will we see determination on the international stage, or fixing the “Spirit of the IDF” document (whose authors stated that victory is not a moral value)?
Who will set policy, and who in the next government will appoint the next nine Supreme Court justices and the heads of the security establishment?
Politics is a choice between imperfect alternatives, preferring the lesser of two evils for the sake of a greater goal, rather than a pursuit of a utopian ideal.
Will these be figures like David Zini and Roman Gofman, or people with the opposite mindset?
3. Between Personal Contribution and Macro Trends
This issue requires a cold, hard look—brace yourselves. Who has contributed more to the overall effort in this long war?
Was it the Haredi politicians who backed the government to continue fighting despite their non-enlistment, or politicians like former Chief of Staff Eizenkot, who called for ending the war, avoiding the occupation of Rafah, and accepting the non-release of hostages under military pressure?
And without populism: True, Eizenkot paid a heavy personal price—the unbearable pain of bereavement. But we are discussing the strategic trends of the camps, not painful private tragedies.
4. Responsible Adults vs. Childish Purism
Once again, we see the confusion between a person’s private character and his actions as a politician.
There is a fine line between superficial admiration for figures like Chili Tropper (due to his pleasant manners and impressive kidney donation) and a fundamental lack of understanding of ‘how politics works.’
Politics is a choice between imperfect alternatives, preferring the lesser of two evils for the sake of a greater goal, rather than a pursuit of a utopian ideal.
Utopian purism leaves us “principled” but incapable of action. As a parent of a teenager, everyone knows: You have to know when to be smart and not just right, otherwise you won’t succeed as a parent and, G-d forbid, you might even lose your child.
5. The Difficulty and the Proportionality
The great difficulty in conducting this discussion with a clear head, given the unimaginable burden on the families of reservists, is obvious and painful.
Spouting slogans is easy; putting them into practice in a complex reality is the real challenge.
But the major issues facing us in the coming years cannot be reduced to the issue of conscription alone, even if it is deeply upsetting. Remember again the basket of values.
6. On Torah and Selective Criticism
Regarding the claim by certain factions that “the Torah of the Haredim is not the Torah” if, after Simchat Torah 5784, it does not lead them to the army, it is worth saying—caution! After all, the Torah requires several other things, such as modesty, kashrut, and even, surprisingly enough, Torah study.
You can’t use the Torah as a political weapon only when it’s convenient.
Again, we’re dealing solely with the practical level.
7. Who Benefits from the Crisis?
If this is hard to swallow, look at who is rejoicing in this crisis: Yair Golan, who aspires to “educate” religious Zionism, is rejoicing; those who call the religious “death-eaters” are rejoicing; and the potential partners from the Arab parties, who to this day have not condemned the Hamas terrorists, are rejoicing greatly. These are the people rejoicing today.
Let everyone here decide which camp they belong to.
8. A Look Towards Jerusalem
Tomorrow we will celebrate the day of Jerusalem’s liberation and reunification. This is a moment to gain perspective on our current struggles after 2,000 years of praying “Next year in a rebuilt Jerusalem.”
And as always—even now—those who look toward Jerusalem in the broadest sense are the ones who will prevail in this struggle.
“And eternity is Jerusalem.”
‘Path Pavers’
