Israel Defense Forces

The most quoted source by Haredim for exempting yeshiva boys from the IDF, is a "pseudo-halachic" paragraph from the Rambam in the end of the laws of Sh'mitta which seemingly exempts Kohanim (and to their mind, yeshiva boys) from going to war. A closer look shows that the source itself actually obligates yeshiva boys to serve in the IDF, like the Maccabees & Boris Gurman HY"D who immediately rose to fight the enemies of Israel, and not wait those long 10 minutes while Jews are being hunted in Australia, and many of the gentile police were hiding to save themselves!

All yeshivot close their doors from Rosh Chodesh Nissan, because cleaning for Pesach, like many mitzvot, is about "being religious" or G-dly, even if they don't get most of us to "feel religious". Often a sick person feels wrong when the doctor and rabbi insist that he not fast on Yom Kippur. Yes, it doesn't "feel religious" to eat on that day, but, as opposed to Christianity and the Samaritans, Judaism is based upon many G-dly actions (including saving life), many of which only activate our religious feeling upon learning the deeper or kabbalistic aspects of those mitzvot. Similarly, one of the major problems among many Haredim is their claim "we feel more religious learning in yeshiva than serving in the IDF". Nevertheless, before "feeling religious", one must first "be religious".

In response to Israel’s war against Arab terror, we received several e-mails inquiring about Judaism’s perspective on war.

Is there justice in the world? And what is the nature of a God of love and mercy in a world filled with evil?

I'm a Soldier and serve in dangerous places. My parents don't know where I serve, so I tell them I'm a clerk so they shouldn't worry. is it O.K?

The war must have the objective to disable the terrorists, their commanders and those who support them. Just as they plotted to do against Israel, thus, Israel must do to them.