Knesset Committee Approves Basic Law on Torah Study Amid Controversy

The Knesset Committee approved the Basic Law proposal on Torah Study for its first reading after a heated and contentious debate on Tuesday. The bill, supported by ten coalition members and opposed by four from the opposition, was passed with the condition of submitting a revision request. The law aims to formally establish Torah study as a fundamental value in Jewish heritage and the State of Israel.

The discussion centered on the law's practical implications, particularly its potential impact on the military conscription of ultra-Orthodox Jews (Haredim). The Deputy Legal Advisor to the Government, Adv. Avital Sompolinsky, criticized the bill's vague wording and warned against advancing before clarifying its purpose. She emphasized the need for further debate on the rights and obligations of Haredim, noting the law as currently drafted fails to address these critical questions.

Proponents, including MK Yossi Taieb of Shas, defended the bill as a constitutional declaration designed to provide judges with a legal framework to balance the value of Torah study against other fundamental values. Opposition members sharply criticized the expedited process, with MK Merav Michaeli (Labor) accusing the coalition of politicizing the Basic Law and prioritizing Torah study for men over other laws. MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, chairman of United Torah Judaism, explained the law's background as a response to perceived injustices against Torah scholars, asserting it aims to protect them from punitive measures.

Opposition MKs also questioned whether the law would lead to additional benefits or budgets for Torah study, with MK Vladimir Beliak (Yesh Atid) seeking clarity on the law’s practical and financial implications. MK Moshe Gafni rejected these concerns, stating that unlike other Basic Laws, this one does not affect soldiers’ rights or benefits and focuses solely on the value of Torah study. The bill is scheduled for a first reading vote in the Knesset plenum tomorrow.