Top Rabbi Advises Draft Dodger Against Military Service
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Rabbi Moshe-Hillel Hirsch, a prominent ultra-Orthodox leader, advised yeshiva student Yaari Lieberman against enlisting in the IDF. Lieberman, detained for draft evasion, sought the rabbi's counsel after being offered special service tracks and facing military detention. Rabbi Hirsch cited distrust of the army and potential negative impacts on morale and religious observance as reasons for his advice. He is a key spiritual authority and co-leader of the Council of Torah Sages.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Moshe-Hillel Hirsch advised yeshiva student Yaari Lieberman against IDF enlistment.
- Lieberman was detained for draft evasion and offered special ultra-Orthodox service tracks.
- Rabbi Hirsch cited distrust of the army and negative impacts on morale and religious observance.
- Lieberman reported difficulties during detention, including an alleged prayer interruption.
- Rabbi Hirsch is a leading authority in the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community.
Rabbi Moshe-Hillel Hirsch, a leading spiritual authority in the Lithuanian ultra-Orthodox community, has advised Yaari Lieberman, a yeshiva student detained for evading IDF service, not to enlist in the army. Lieberman, who was released from military prison on the condition he report for duty, met with Rabbi Hirsch for guidance.
According to Lieberman, army representatives offered him service in special programs for the ultra-Orthodox and warned him of consequences for continued refusal. He also recounted difficulties during his detention, including an incident where a female soldier allegedly interrupted his prayers.
Responding to Lieberman's dilemma, Rabbi Hirsch strongly discouraged enlistment. He cited three reasons: "First, you cannot trust them. Second, even if you could trust them, it would lower the morale of many young men who would see that you gave up. Third, it will undoubtedly lower your level of Jewishness." The rabbi concluded the meeting by blessing Lieberman.
Rabbi Hirsch, born Milton Hirsch in New York in 1936, immigrated to Israel in 1963. Since 1982, he has led the prestigious Slobodka yeshiva in Bnei Brak. Following the passing of Rabbi Gershon Edelstein in 2023, Hirsch, alongside Rabbi Dov Lando, became a co-leader of the Council of Torah Sages.
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