Against the backdrop of the High Court debate on the 'Arrest Law': The Shas Council of Torah Sages issued a strong statement to the High Court of Justice today (Tuesday), in which it opposed the court's intervention in the recruitment of yeshiva students.
In the 'Statement of Opinion', the 'Council' emphasizes that it does not recognize the High Court's authority to discuss the issue, but publishes its position "for the sake of knowledge of the eternal divine truth.".
The document states that the court has been leading a "campaign of persecution" against the Torah scholars for years and that the attempts to recruit yeshiva students are "a campaign of coercion to violate religion.".
The members of the 'Council' emphasize that forcing conscription on Torah students is contrary to Jewish law and even the principle of religious freedom.
The council bases its position on sources from the Talmud and the ruling of the Maimonides, according to which those whose "Torah is their art" are judged like the tribe of Levi, who do not go to war.
The 'Disclosure of Opinion' states that "it is forbidden to recruit Torah scholars whose Torah is their art, even for a mitzvah war.".
The Council of Torah Sages further rejects the claim of "equality of burden," and claims that the central burden that protects the people of Israel is the work of the Torah. According to it, "not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord," and that "the work of the Torah... is the only thing that maintains national security.".
The 'Statement of Opinion' also states: "He who harms yeshiva students and tries to stop them from their studies and teachings, is directly harming national security.".
The Boycott Council concludes the statement with a call to protect the world of Torah and yeshiva students, emphasizing that throughout all generations they have borne responsibility for preserving the Torah and tradition, and that harming them is harming the foundations of the spiritual existence of the Jewish people.
