IDF Chief, PM Praise Yeshiva Students Amid Funding Shortfall
While Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi have publicly lauded the significant contributions of Hesder Yeshiva students to national security, leadership, and the fighting spirit, a substantial budget deficit forces these institutions to rely heavily on donations. Halevi, visiting the Hesder Yeshiva in Yerucham, emphasized the unique leadership and "immense enterprise" emerging from these yeshivas, stating that their graduates are at the forefront of the IDF across all units and fronts, strengthening the military's spirit and effectiveness. Similarly, Netanyahu, during a visit to the Sderot Hesder Yeshiva, praised the students as exemplars of sacrifice and heroism, comparing them to the Maccabees of old for their bravery since the war's outset.
The article highlights that the contributions of Hesder Yeshivas extend beyond military service, with their alumni also serving as future rabbis and judges, and strengthening the nation in education, settlement, science, and the economy. Despite these acknowledged contributions and the disproportionately high casualty rates among their students, state funding for the yeshivas remains minimal. This forces the institutions to divert significant resources and attention towards fundraising, both domestically and internationally, to cover operational costs and necessary construction for adequate learning and living conditions.
In contrast, the article points out that state funding for Jewish studies at universities is considerably higher. Data from the Council for Higher Education's Planning and Budgeting Committee shows that in the 2025-2026 academic year, the cost per university student for humanities instruction alone is nearly four times the total state budget allocated to Hesder Yeshivas. When factoring in research, construction, development, and other government funding for academic institutions, the disparity widens significantly. The article notes that while the current government, particularly through the Religious Zionism party, has increased support for Hesder Yeshivas, the gap remains substantial, necessitating continued appeals for public donations based on the principle that "if there is no flour, there is no Torah; if there is no Torah, there is no flour."
