''Conscription decrees' continue to harass Chabad yeshiva students: After recent contacts with the IDF authorities, in order to reach an arrangement in favor of the "group" year, encountered many difficulties - the Chabad Rabbinical Court once again clarifies its position, in a special letter.
In the letter, the rabbis - Rabbi Yitzchak Yehuda Yaroslavsky and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Golchovsky - on behalf of the Beit Din, prohibit students of Chabad yeshiva from enlisting in the IDF.
According to the rabbis' instructions, "Torah study in yeshiva is part of the system of protecting and safeguarding the Jewish people throughout all generations," and therefore "any integration into the physical protection system in the army and security forces - of course, after consultation with an influential person - belongs after marriage and after the period of study in yeshiva and kollel, and even then within a framework appropriate for a Hasidic and God-fearing Jew.".
At the same time, despite the difficulties in negotiations, attempts are continuing to reach an agreement with the IDF for Chabad yeshiva students, so that they can begin their studies in the "group" year - a year of study at the "Tomchei Temimim" yeshiva at the World Chabad Center-770, in accordance with a tradition in Hasidism of about 65 years.
Haredim 10 presents Letter from the Rabbis The following is addressed to my parents and students of Chabad yeshiva:
""Unfortunately, we are witnessing the continued persecution of yeshiva students and kollel elders and the attempts of the authorities to abolish the status that has existed for many years in the Holy Land, whereby while yeshiva students and kollel elders engage in Torah study in yeshiva and kollel in a manner that is 'their Torah is their art', their military service is postponed.".
Over the past period, NN activists have tried to formulate an outline with the military authorities that would allow them to continue the situation that existed for many years in Chabad yeshivahs, and we encountered many difficulties with the relevant parties.
In light of the situation that has arisen and the words of the Rebbe Nasi of our generation on the subject, the opinion of the Beit Din is as follows: Torah study in yeshivahs is part of the system for protecting and safeguarding the Jewish people in all generations. On many occasions, the Rebbe Nasi of our generation has explained that yeshivah and kollel students are not evading the system, but rather – in studying their Torah, they are carrying out and fulfilling their necessary role in the spiritual protection of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. The study of yeshivah students is not only a privilege, but also a real duty imposed on them for the purpose of protecting the Jewish people. This has been the case until now - and this will continue to be the case in Gaza.
This arrangement is extremely vital in the period in which we are standing, and it requires utmost protection and salvation for the children of Israel throughout the world and in the Land of Israel in particular. The words of Chazal are well-known in the Gemara of the Sanhedrin (4:1), "If it were not for David, Yoav would not have waged war, and if it were not for Yoav, David would not have engaged in Torah, etc." (And Rashi there - by virtue of David engaging in Torah, Yoav was supported in his war).
Yeshiva students and kollel students are active in the campaign by studying Torah, along with the soldiers in the army who defend with their bodies to the point of sacrificing their lives for the people of Israel in the Land of Israel.
In addition to the above, even after the hours of study in the yeshiva, the general and central role assigned by the Rebbe to every Hasid is to engage in the spread of Judaism and the sources, and to devote himself to the good of every Jew, both materially and spiritually.
It is worth noting the well-known and famous fact that many Chabad Hasidim served or are serving in the army after their marriage and after their period of study in yeshiva and kollel, and this too should be within the frameworks appropriate for a Hasidic and God-fearing Jew.
We consider it necessary to express our opinion again regarding the fact:
A. It is clear that according to the instruction of the Rebbe, the leader of our generation, young men until their wedding, as well as young avrechim, their role is to study Torah diligently and persistently in yeshiva and kollel, and in doing so they assist in the defense of the Land of Israel and its inhabitants.
B. In this period when "darkness will cover the land, etc." and there are many young men who receive a draft order, you, the students of the Tamimim, must remember your role and increase your dedication to your important and vital role of studying the revealed Torah and Chassidism without being impressed by external motivations and delays. You must draw strength from the words of the days of Chabad Chassidism regarding the leadership of our rabbis, our presidents, and the leadership of the Chassids in previous generations who gave their lives in a firm stand against decrees in education for Torah and mitzvot on the path of Chassidism.
C. Any integration into the physical security system in the army and security forces (of course, after consulting with a rabbi) belongs after marriage and after the period of study in the yeshiva and kollel, and even then within the framework appropriate for a Hasidic and God-fearing Jew.
D. The students of the group Baal Tev 5777 will consult with the yeshiva administration and the Ansh staff on how to proceed in connection with the trip to the courtyards of our sanctuary, and the students of this year's group 5776 who are currently in the courtyards of our sanctuary will consult with the Rabbi/Aseh Lech Rav and the Ansh staff on how to proceed in connection with the return to the Holy Land.
E. Students of the Tamimim whose attempt to travel to our sacred courtyards for the month of Tishrei may jeopardize their continued studies in yeshivot - it is right to refrain from traveling for the time being.
May we soon be worthy to witness what is said about the Messianic King: "And he fought the battles of the Lord..." and defeated all the nations around him (Rambam, Laws of Kings, Chapter 11, 4) in the true and complete redemption, immediately and truly.
And with this we came to AAH with a written blessing and a good signature.".
