Top Rabbis Issue Stern Warning Against New Military Service Tracks for Haredim

The Council of Torah Sages, a leading authority for many Hasidic and Sephardic ultra-Orthodox Jews, has issued a historic and uncompromising letter warning against new military service tracks aimed at the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community. The letter, signed by all members of the council including prominent Rebbes from Ger, Belz, Vizhnitz, and Sanz, explicitly forbids participation in any such programs, citing them as a "real danger to the spirit of faithful Judaism."

The council's directive states that these new tracks, which allegedly allow soldiers to serve "without uniforms," are designed to fundamentally alter the character and spirit of the Haredi public. "From now on, do not go to any of the tracks designated for Haredim, without exception. The common denominator among them is the desire to change the essence and spirit of the Haredi public. Do not walk in their path, keep your feet from their way," the letter declares.

The directive comes amid internal tensions within the Agudat Yisrael party, a major political force representing the Haredi sector. Recent weeks have seen disputes arise over the formation of a new party, "Torat Chomat Yisrael," led by Meir Porush and Elikim Stern, who intend to run within the framework of United Torah Judaism but not alongside the Ger and Vizhnitz Hasidic factions. This has led to sharp exchanges between senior Agudat Yisrael officials and the Shlomei Emunim faction.

Sources within Agudat Yisrael claim Porush and Stern are ending the "dictatorial conduct" of Ger activists, while Ger maintains the new party is independent and no longer subject to the movement's institutions or the Council of Torah Sages. A tense meeting in Netanya saw Ger representatives demand written commitments from Sanz representatives, which Sanz refused, asserting their sole allegiance to the Council of Torah Sages and the Sanz Rebbe.

The Council of Torah Sages has convened several times in the past year. The dramatic announcement is expected to cause significant controversy and reshape the Haredi community's response to perceived attempts to alter its religious character, with the central message from the leading rabbis remaining a firm "iron wall" against any perceived breaches.