General (Res.) Moshe Nativ, former head of the Manpower
Division of the IDF and currently a member of the Tal
Committee to study the drafting of yeshiva students into the
Israeli army, has recently stated, "After having visited a
number of yeshivos, I realize that Torah study must not be
stopped for even one day." His remarks were made at a meeting
of the subcommittee of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and
Security Committee that was also discussing the issue of
drafting yeshiva students.
Nativ said that he has always been aware of the importance of
the Torah world and of yeshiva students studying without
disturbance. After visiting a number of yeshivos lately,
however, he was deeply impressed by the meaning of the
concept "Toraso umanuso." He noted that he had gained
an understanding of how Torah study cannot cease even for one
day since the entire existence of the Jewish Nation depends
on it.
Chairman of the subcommittee MK Raanan Cohen (who is also the
secretary of the Labor Party) said at the committee meeting
that while it is true that the Tal Committee is dealing with
the issue of the draft of yeshiva students, there is no doubt
that the Knesset, which eventually pass any law in this area
is the true "proprietor" in this case. For this reason, it
had to hold deliberations on this subject in its committees
in parallel with the Tal Committee.
MK Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz said that he hopes that the
subcommittee as well as the Tal Committee will also accept
the principle that yeshiva students who want to study Torah
be allowed do so unconstrained by time limitations or quotas.
"Torah study is a supreme value of the Jewish Nation and
guarantees its existence," Rabbi Ravitz stressed.
MK Naomi Chazan of Meretz surprised the Knesset when she said
that she agrees with the principle that one who studies Torah
full time should not be drafted, and that there should be no
time limits or quotas regarding the exemptions. However, she
said that she agrees to this only on condition that
exemptions are also granted to those refusing to serve in the
defense forces for reasons of conscience.
Rabbi Ravitz replied that he has no problem supporting that
policy, especially if it will enable yeshiva students to
continue their studies unhindered.
The Tal Committee was formed by the current government as
part of the original coalition agreement to find a consensus
solution to the issue of drafting yeshiva students to the
army after the High Court invalidated the arrangement that
has been in effect for more than 50 years. Last December the
Court held that the Minister of Defense is not legally
empowered to defer the service of yeshiva students, even
though that has been the arrangement since the founding of
the State.
The Court gave the Knesset a year to pass legislation
regulating the army service of yeshiva students. Just about a
month later the Netanyahu government fell, and nothing was
done on the matter before the May elections. In the
subsequent negotiations with prime minister Barak about
forming a government, UTJ made its sole condition for joining
the government the immediate appointment of a commission that
would study the issue of yeshiva students' army service and
make a recommendation in time for passage before the Court's
December deadline.
Barak did not form the committee for several months, and it
was evident that by the time it started its work that it
could not finish before the deadline. The government asked
for, and received, an extension from the Court. The final
report of the Tal Committee is expected soon.
