Religious Scholar Warns Against Hatred in Israel's Military Draft Debate

A religious scholar reflects on the Talmudic teaching that the destruction of the Second Temple was caused by baseless hatred, drawing parallels to contemporary Israeli society. The article argues that even justified struggles, such as the debate over drafting the ultra-Orthodox community into the Israel Defense Forces, can lead to societal ruin if accompanied by humiliation and hostility. The Talmud equates baseless hatred with grave sins like idolatry and murder, emphasizing its destructive power across generations.

The author recounts a Talmudic story illustrating how one person's gain built on another's loss is ultimately a form of destruction, not true progress. This metaphor is applied to the current tensions surrounding the draft, where some see the ultra-Orthodox draft as essential to national security, while others warn it threatens their community's values. The article acknowledges the real pain of bereaved families and soldiers demanding equal burden sharing but condemns the hostile treatment and public humiliation of ultra-Orthodox individuals.

The scholar stresses that the problem is not the call for draft equality itself, which is legitimate, but the enjoyment some derive from humiliating others. Such attitudes sow division and threaten the fabric of Israeli society. True "love without hatred" requires understanding and caring for the ultra-Orthodox community, supporting their integration out of genuine concern rather than triumphalism. The piece concludes with a call for unity and mutual respect to rebuild the nation and hasten the rebuilding of the Temple in our time.

The author is a rabbinic teacher at the Keshet pre-military academy, advocating for a balanced approach that combines justice with compassion in this sensitive national issue.