Mossa'ei Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Mass'ei 5768
Early last week, while tremping into work, I bumped into two more soldiers.
One was only just released from the army a couple of hours beforehand and was on his way home to shower and sleep for a very long time. Next on his agenda is to travel. I encouraged him to travel throughout Israel, instead of leaving for destinations unknown, like the popular avodah zarah-filled India. He agreed, and has planned to hike the Shvil Yisrael from Metulah in the north to Eilat in the south. He seemed intrigued by leaving for adventures outside of Israel after that, but hopefully not. I suggested that no one can escape from places of avodah zarah completely unscathed.
He eventually wants to go to college to study biology.
Just before he and I got into a tremp, another soldier appeared on the scene, a former student of mine, taking eighth-grade English with me seven years ago. I had just mentioned him, too, in the context of who I knew in his yishuv (town), Kokhav Ya'aqov.
He didn't have the greatest time in my class, but apparently I made up for it in the end. I came with his class on its end of the year trip to the Gallil and Golan. I was one of the few people who thought to bring a camera, before the prevalence of digital everything. I took photos of everyone and sent copies to those who were in each of them.
He smiled, and said he still had that photo from seven years ago. I haven't traveled much in Israel, but that trip was one of the best I've taken. Let's hope this soldier makes it through the next few months, the last of his service.
That night, I bumped into another former student. This one has been in yeshivah for the last four years, and expects to begin his IDF service shortly. In order to do so, he will have to leave his current yeshivah, and transfer to a yeshivath hesder. He will be leaving, albeit temporarily, his mamlachti yeshivah, and probably be going to Merkaz HaRav Kook. I told him that I approved of the change. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to list the books he will be able to read at "Merkaz," "unwelcome" at his current yeshivah, like Rav Moshe Tzuriel's shlit"a Mafte'ah to the Torah of Rav Kook ztz"l, and the compilation of Rav Kook's writings found in the Merkaz HaRav Kook genizah.
(Gee! I wonder how they ended up there? Could it be that someone, or some people, didn't want us to read certain writings of Rav Kook?)
It is crucial to protect our soldiers spiritually, as well as physically, something which the IDF does not do, rather the opposite.
My soldier friend who came to visit last Shabbath told me about the educational trip he was forced to take to the Kotel, the Western Wall. His unit was lectured on Islam and Christianity, not the two items highest on a Jew's list of topics he associates with an "educational" trip to the Kotel. The two topics were taught as fact, not within the context of the history of Israel's occupation by foreign forces.
One of the soldiers questioned the lecturer's take on Islam as one of the "truths" in the world.
He was "written up" for that.
So, where is this blog post going? I'm not sure. I suppose this is what some bloggers, and others, call a rant. Although, I always thought that "rant" had a negative connotation.
There are some yishuvim (towns) and many hill top communities whose residents would prefer to guard their own neighborhoods, rather that allow soldiers to do so. I agree. Not only will it make things less complicated, when "they" come to throw us out of our homes, it is an important act of taking responsibility for our own security, a move toward increased autonomy. (Did I say "autonomy?" I meant independence, of course.)
I am just exploring my own relationships with soldiers, the sons, and brothers, and fathers, and friends. Yet, I will also have to explore my relationships with the Jews who have to make decisions, decisions to follow orders contrary to Torah, or to refuse them.
Many soldiers avoided participation in the expulsion of Azza Jews three years ago. Golani and Nahal Haredi Brigades were kept far away from Azza, for fear of mass refusals to carry out orders. Yet, the IDF only wants you to know about the 62 soldiers who actually sat in jail for refusing orders.
If you're a soldier, and you're reading this, ask yourself this question: Which soldier will you be?
There's no shirking responsibility this time, no saying...
"I'm just 18 years old, and I'm confused by conflicting rabbinical opinions."
You had better do your research, and talk to your rabbis now, asking for hallachic sources, and rejecting "feeling" and hashqafic ones.
You are going to have to face this decision sooner than you think.
In the meantime, you'll have Jews like me on your back, pressuring you to think for yourselves and hallachicly so, and hopefully encouraging you as well.
Showing posts with label Soldiers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soldiers. Show all posts
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Soldiers
Mossa'ei Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Matoth 5768
So there I was Erev Shabbath in the makkoleth (store), minding my own business,when several soldiers came in. I continued about my business, when I couldn't help notice that one of the soldiers was speaking English to another. He called him by name, and not terribly common one.
I thought to myself, this is just too much of coincidence,...well, too much of something. I don't believe in coincidences. A buddy of mine, also a soldier, and also called by this same name, and with the same Ashkinazy pronunciation, and also a native English-speaker, was coming to stay with me for Shabbath.
I went back and forth as to whether to talk to him, or maybe that was just silly.
Sure enough the decision was taken care of for me,...sort of.
This soldier got in line to pay, right in back of me. So, I started to talk to him in Hebrew, and told him about my buddy the soldier with the same name, who was coming for Shabbath. We switched English,...just 'cause, and continued to talk. I wanted to hear if there were any other connections. I invited him for a meal. He was on duty during dinner time, and was not sure if he could get permission to come for lunch. I gave him directions to my house, and said just to come if he could. No worries.
Well, he did not come in the end, and it's just as well, because the salmon I was hoping to have prepared for lunch, did not make it for lunch either. I forgot to turn the oven on....
We ate dinner out, as planned, and made due the next day with salads, bread, and more salads. "Someone" misunderstood and didn't bring additional bread (not his fault), so salad was tantamount to the main course. It's summer though, when I like to eat light foods, especially during the day, thus salmon was on [and then off] the menu.
We had a good time, and as my guest is a fellow Southern California, I was able to speak in my "native dialect," which I almost never get to do.
I wonder what happened to that soldier. Perhaps I'll bump into him again. Perhaps not. As it turns out, my buddy from SoCal knows him, and learned at the same yeshiva with him briefly. It's a small world,...after all. If by some strange happenstance he sees this, hope he writes.
This Shabbath was only the cap off, though, to my strange and continual bumping into soldiers.
Wednesday night I was all ready to go to sleep, when I saw a disturbing away message on someone's IM listing,...a soldier, and not a happy one. Needless to say, I didn't get to sleep right away...
Then on Thursday, late afternoon in Jerusalem, after work and Shabbath shopping, an appointment I had for the evening was pushed back. This triggered a change in my plans. I was on Yaffo Street, much later than I normally would have been, making my way toward my appointment. I did a double take, and for the heck of it, called out the name of who I thought was standing in a passageway. Sure enough, it was who I thought it was,...yet another soldier,...on a five-day furlough. I almost didn't recognize him, because of all the weight he had lost, not that he needed to. Apparently, the army can do that to you, when you're in a qeravi (fighter) unit.
His plans had changed too. We had not seen each other in ages, so we started walking. He looked down, so I offered to buy him a cheap anti-depressant,...ice cream. After hemming and hawing, suggested we get frozen yogurt on the midrahov (pedestrian mall) on Ben Yehudah Street (no relation). I hadn't been there in ages; it's not my favorite place. (Actually, I can't stand it.) I grew up in a tourist city, so I learned very early on in life to avoid trendy and touristy places, you know, like the midrahov.
What the heck! I went anyway, and I'm glad I did. He introduced me to the frozen yogurt at that ice cream place on that corner of Ben Yehudah near Cafe Rimon. I don't how know exactly how much frozen yogurt was actually in it. But you get to pick from like 30 frozen fruit, melon, and berries, as well as cookies and candy, and then they blend it all together for you. I insisted on at least a little bit of sprinkles and chocolate syrup, as they're free. Not bad at all!
I insisted we sit a reasonable distance from that busy corner, as I can't hear worth a darn with all of that background noise. As we sat down under a tree, somewhat sheltered from the hustle and bustle, I received a text message. My appointment was pushed back even further. As the sun was going down, the I noticed that the atmosphere was not trendy and not too touristy. Rather it just felt pleasant.
It doesn't really matter where I am, it's whom I'm with that matters.
We talked about "going with the flow," if that means anything to you.
I guess this conversation is what made me decide, or rather remind me, to start talking with that soldier in the makkoleth.
That soldier from Wednesday night? He'll be OK. We plan to meet for coffee one of these days. He said to call him whenever I am near his "undisclosed location," and he'll come right over, going with the flow.
Update:
I bumped into the soldier who is stationed in my yishuv this morning. He survived another Shabbath in the IDF, and seems to be doing well.... Only another 16 months to go....
My Shabbath guest has another three and a half months, and the soldier I bumped into last Thursday, less than a year and a half.
Funny how they all know their upcoming discharge dates.
So there I was Erev Shabbath in the makkoleth (store), minding my own business,when several soldiers came in. I continued about my business, when I couldn't help notice that one of the soldiers was speaking English to another. He called him by name, and not terribly common one.
I thought to myself, this is just too much of coincidence,...well, too much of something. I don't believe in coincidences. A buddy of mine, also a soldier, and also called by this same name, and with the same Ashkinazy pronunciation, and also a native English-speaker, was coming to stay with me for Shabbath.
I went back and forth as to whether to talk to him, or maybe that was just silly.
Sure enough the decision was taken care of for me,...sort of.
This soldier got in line to pay, right in back of me. So, I started to talk to him in Hebrew, and told him about my buddy the soldier with the same name, who was coming for Shabbath. We switched English,...just 'cause, and continued to talk. I wanted to hear if there were any other connections. I invited him for a meal. He was on duty during dinner time, and was not sure if he could get permission to come for lunch. I gave him directions to my house, and said just to come if he could. No worries.
Well, he did not come in the end, and it's just as well, because the salmon I was hoping to have prepared for lunch, did not make it for lunch either. I forgot to turn the oven on....
We ate dinner out, as planned, and made due the next day with salads, bread, and more salads. "Someone" misunderstood and didn't bring additional bread (not his fault), so salad was tantamount to the main course. It's summer though, when I like to eat light foods, especially during the day, thus salmon was on [and then off] the menu.
We had a good time, and as my guest is a fellow Southern California, I was able to speak in my "native dialect," which I almost never get to do.
I wonder what happened to that soldier. Perhaps I'll bump into him again. Perhaps not. As it turns out, my buddy from SoCal knows him, and learned at the same yeshiva with him briefly. It's a small world,...after all. If by some strange happenstance he sees this, hope he writes.
This Shabbath was only the cap off, though, to my strange and continual bumping into soldiers.
Wednesday night I was all ready to go to sleep, when I saw a disturbing away message on someone's IM listing,...a soldier, and not a happy one. Needless to say, I didn't get to sleep right away...
Then on Thursday, late afternoon in Jerusalem, after work and Shabbath shopping, an appointment I had for the evening was pushed back. This triggered a change in my plans. I was on Yaffo Street, much later than I normally would have been, making my way toward my appointment. I did a double take, and for the heck of it, called out the name of who I thought was standing in a passageway. Sure enough, it was who I thought it was,...yet another soldier,...on a five-day furlough. I almost didn't recognize him, because of all the weight he had lost, not that he needed to. Apparently, the army can do that to you, when you're in a qeravi (fighter) unit.
His plans had changed too. We had not seen each other in ages, so we started walking. He looked down, so I offered to buy him a cheap anti-depressant,...ice cream. After hemming and hawing, suggested we get frozen yogurt on the midrahov (pedestrian mall) on Ben Yehudah Street (no relation). I hadn't been there in ages; it's not my favorite place. (Actually, I can't stand it.) I grew up in a tourist city, so I learned very early on in life to avoid trendy and touristy places, you know, like the midrahov.
What the heck! I went anyway, and I'm glad I did. He introduced me to the frozen yogurt at that ice cream place on that corner of Ben Yehudah near Cafe Rimon. I don't how know exactly how much frozen yogurt was actually in it. But you get to pick from like 30 frozen fruit, melon, and berries, as well as cookies and candy, and then they blend it all together for you. I insisted on at least a little bit of sprinkles and chocolate syrup, as they're free. Not bad at all!
I insisted we sit a reasonable distance from that busy corner, as I can't hear worth a darn with all of that background noise. As we sat down under a tree, somewhat sheltered from the hustle and bustle, I received a text message. My appointment was pushed back even further. As the sun was going down, the I noticed that the atmosphere was not trendy and not too touristy. Rather it just felt pleasant.
It doesn't really matter where I am, it's whom I'm with that matters.
We talked about "going with the flow," if that means anything to you.
I guess this conversation is what made me decide, or rather remind me, to start talking with that soldier in the makkoleth.
That soldier from Wednesday night? He'll be OK. We plan to meet for coffee one of these days. He said to call him whenever I am near his "undisclosed location," and he'll come right over, going with the flow.
Update:
I bumped into the soldier who is stationed in my yishuv this morning. He survived another Shabbath in the IDF, and seems to be doing well.... Only another 16 months to go....
My Shabbath guest has another three and a half months, and the soldier I bumped into last Thursday, less than a year and a half.
Funny how they all know their upcoming discharge dates.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Conversation With A Soldier
Mossa'ei Shabbath Qodesh Parshath Ssaw/Purim le'Muqafin 5768
Walking back from the Tapu'ah West and Elnaqam 4 Hills on Shabbath afternoon, I re-entered the fence surrounding K'far Tapu'ah (I hate that fence) to encounter a soldier's queries. After the requisite nodding of heads....
Soldier: Are you from here?
10ag (Me): (jokingly) No, I'm from Yassuf (a neighboring Ishma'elite village).
Soldier: (grin & holding a paper in his hand) Can I ask you something,...about where we are?
10ag: (a matter of fact-ly) Why? So, you can know from which town you're supposed to throw the residents out?
Soldier: No, so that I can know about the area where I'm guarding.
10ag: Why don't you ask your commander?
Soldier: I don't really appreciate you talking to me that way.
10ag: Look. I have nothing personal against you, at all. Ask me any other question, ANY other question, and I'll be happy to answer it.
Soldier: You have another reason not to have anything personal against me. I'm your neighbor. I live in the Shomron.
10ag: Yeshivah students from Qarnei Shomron participated in the expulsion from Amona. So that you live in the Shomron doesn't mean anything to me. (I start walking away again.)
Soldier: Well, do you know where (Arabic name) is?
10ag: I really don't have a clue.
After I walked down the security road, and up the hill into my backyard, I saw a former member of our town council and his kids walk up and start talking to this same soldier. So, I'm sure I will get chastised for exercising my right to free speech, and hurting the town's precious image. (eyes rolling)
Oh, I almost forgot. I do not have any such right. I live in Israel.
So, was I rude and unwelcoming to the soldier? I think not.
Years ago, there was man walking around a Jerusalem neighborhood, asking about a particular shi'ur (class) which was taking place in the area. The rabbi teaching this shi'ur got wind of this, and said it sounded like he might fit the profile of a Shabba"k (Israeli secret police) snooping around. He said not to say anything to him. It wasn't because he had anything to hide. He didn't. Rather, he said, "If he's too lazy to pick up the phone book, and look up my address, which is plainly there in black and white, by all means, do NOT help him do his job."
Sure, the soldier could probably find his way away the map he had with or without my help. But, the minute I started answering such questions, I would have risked getting pulled in, and then later, stuck, hemming and hawing about answering more pointed questions:
What exactly is that structure over there?
Who goes down there anyway?
Get my drift? By the way, the Elnaqam 4 Hill (see photo) received an evacuation order recently, as did the kennel which has housed guard dogs, which protect various towns in Yehudah and Shomron (Judea and Samaria). So, you can understand my hesitation to any inquiry from anyone about local geography, let alone a soldier.
Even more so, the self-defense program in K'far Tapu'ah has been canceled. We are now guarded solely by soldiers, as opposed to our own residents employed, or doing their reserve duty, to do so instead. We're not the only town which has this program canceled, due to "budgetary concerns." For the first time in Tapu'ah West's 10-year history, there are soldiers guarding hill, placed there by the Ravsha"tz (town security chief). Most of the residents do not want them there, perfectly capable of defending the hill themselves. Holes in the town's fence by the main entrance have been plugged up. Now, to leave the town on foot, you have to get the guard to open the main gate. There are only a couple of other ways to leave by foot (without climbing over the barbed wire), one of which takes you passed a small IDF base. Are they locking out the Arabs? Or are they locking us in? How convenient to have the soldiers here, already in place, when it comes time to expel us. May God forbid!
I had just left se'udath shlishith (the third meal of Shabbath) at Elnaqam 4, while a couple of soldiers were snooping around, on the pretext of taking a stroll. Funny. This is the first time in the year of the hill's existence as a residence that soldiers have come down for a stroll.
Who knows when the powers that be will actually have the order executed. Everyone knows that plans are in the works to expel more Jews from Yehudah and Shomron. The only questions remain are...
1. Will the government learn from its expulsion mistakes it made in Azza (Gaza)?
2. Will the government attempt to show any caring for the housing of those expelled?
3. How much blood will be spilled this time? (May God forbid!)
4. How will the government attempt to cover it up?
5. Or will they just try to demonize us, and get the world to root for "The Settlers Demise?"
...and most importantly...
6. How far will we let them go?
7. How far will YOU let them go?
Nope. No conspiracies here. Just some simple logic guided by the recent trail of events, with full knowledge of the current government's wishes. Here in K'far Tapu'ah we are all to familiar with destruction and expulsion....
Photo: Aftermath of the work of soldiers on the Tapu'ah West synagogue,...under IDF "rabbinic supervision," years before the destruction of synagogues and yeshivoth in Azza (Gush Qatif and surrounding area)
Walking back from the Tapu'ah West and Elnaqam 4 Hills on Shabbath afternoon, I re-entered the fence surrounding K'far Tapu'ah (I hate that fence) to encounter a soldier's queries. After the requisite nodding of heads....
Soldier: Are you from here?
10ag (Me): (jokingly) No, I'm from Yassuf (a neighboring Ishma'elite village).
Soldier: (grin & holding a paper in his hand) Can I ask you something,...about where we are?
10ag: (a matter of fact-ly) Why? So, you can know from which town you're supposed to throw the residents out?
Soldier: No, so that I can know about the area where I'm guarding.
10ag: Why don't you ask your commander?
Soldier: I don't really appreciate you talking to me that way.
10ag: Look. I have nothing personal against you, at all. Ask me any other question, ANY other question, and I'll be happy to answer it.
Soldier: You have another reason not to have anything personal against me. I'm your neighbor. I live in the Shomron.
10ag: Yeshivah students from Qarnei Shomron participated in the expulsion from Amona. So that you live in the Shomron doesn't mean anything to me. (I start walking away again.)
Soldier: Well, do you know where (Arabic name) is?
10ag: I really don't have a clue.
After I walked down the security road, and up the hill into my backyard, I saw a former member of our town council and his kids walk up and start talking to this same soldier. So, I'm sure I will get chastised for exercising my right to free speech, and hurting the town's precious image. (eyes rolling)
Oh, I almost forgot. I do not have any such right. I live in Israel.
So, was I rude and unwelcoming to the soldier? I think not.
Years ago, there was man walking around a Jerusalem neighborhood, asking about a particular shi'ur (class) which was taking place in the area. The rabbi teaching this shi'ur got wind of this, and said it sounded like he might fit the profile of a Shabba"k (Israeli secret police) snooping around. He said not to say anything to him. It wasn't because he had anything to hide. He didn't. Rather, he said, "If he's too lazy to pick up the phone book, and look up my address, which is plainly there in black and white, by all means, do NOT help him do his job."
Sure, the soldier could probably find his way away the map he had with or without my help. But, the minute I started answering such questions, I would have risked getting pulled in, and then later, stuck, hemming and hawing about answering more pointed questions:
What exactly is that structure over there?Who goes down there anyway?
Get my drift? By the way, the Elnaqam 4 Hill (see photo) received an evacuation order recently, as did the kennel which has housed guard dogs, which protect various towns in Yehudah and Shomron (Judea and Samaria). So, you can understand my hesitation to any inquiry from anyone about local geography, let alone a soldier.
Even more so, the self-defense program in K'far Tapu'ah has been canceled. We are now guarded solely by soldiers, as opposed to our own residents employed, or doing their reserve duty, to do so instead. We're not the only town which has this program canceled, due to "budgetary concerns." For the first time in Tapu'ah West's 10-year history, there are soldiers guarding hill, placed there by the Ravsha"tz (town security chief). Most of the residents do not want them there, perfectly capable of defending the hill themselves. Holes in the town's fence by the main entrance have been plugged up. Now, to leave the town on foot, you have to get the guard to open the main gate. There are only a couple of other ways to leave by foot (without climbing over the barbed wire), one of which takes you passed a small IDF base. Are they locking out the Arabs? Or are they locking us in? How convenient to have the soldiers here, already in place, when it comes time to expel us. May God forbid!
I had just left se'udath shlishith (the third meal of Shabbath) at Elnaqam 4, while a couple of soldiers were snooping around, on the pretext of taking a stroll. Funny. This is the first time in the year of the hill's existence as a residence that soldiers have come down for a stroll.
Who knows when the powers that be will actually have the order executed. Everyone knows that plans are in the works to expel more Jews from Yehudah and Shomron. The only questions remain are...
1. Will the government learn from its expulsion mistakes it made in Azza (Gaza)?
2. Will the government attempt to show any caring for the housing of those expelled?
3. How much blood will be spilled this time? (May God forbid!)
4. How will the government attempt to cover it up?
5. Or will they just try to demonize us, and get the world to root for "The Settlers Demise?"
...and most importantly...
6. How far will we let them go?
7. How far will YOU let them go?
Nope. No conspiracies here. Just some simple logic guided by the recent trail of events, with full knowledge of the current government's wishes. Here in K'far Tapu'ah we are all to familiar with destruction and expulsion....
Photo: Aftermath of the work of soldiers on the Tapu'ah West synagogue,...under IDF "rabbinic supervision," years before the destruction of synagogues and yeshivoth in Azza (Gush Qatif and surrounding area)Thursday, September 20, 2007
To Refuse Or Not To Refuse
8 of the Seventh Month 5768
I recently received an e-mail from a like-minded journalist in the north of Israel, SHmu'el HaLevy, commenting on the issue of IDF soldiers refusing orders.
Following his letter is my "10 Agaroth" on why soldiers are even placed in a situation where they must decide whether or not to follow orders.
Following this are links to news and additional commentary on the topic of IDF soldiers refusing orders.
Most people consider me to be a "right-wing extremist." I'll have to assume that's due to my respect for Torah and it's central importance to Am Yisrael and humanity in general. I cannot imagine why else I would be categorized in this manner.
However, many of those who have placed me into this box, a box in which I am quite pleased to dwell, are usually surprised, if not shocked, by the rahmanuth (compassion/mercy) with which I regard those IDF soldiers, thrown into a position of having to decide whether or not to refuse orders.
Usually, I am the one frustrated and yelling at those, even some so-called right-wing, religious Jews, who so casually want to give up land, which is not even ours to give up, and to expel Jews from their homes (See Mishneh Torah, Hil. Hovel u'Maziq Ch. 8). Yet the soldiers on the front lines are products of both Israeli public school brainwashing, and the teachings by what one Hakham (truly wise rabbi) calls "Rabbanim Tze'irim" (b'lashon haRaMB"aM). (Just hug them first, then throw them out of their homes.)
How can such soldiers be held responsible for any actions they take in violation of Torah? Eighteen years of programming is just too much for many of them to overcome. One is not exempt from attempting to get through to the Jewish soul locked inside of the soldier, and to encourage him to do the right thing. But for the long-term, we must target the sources of such indoctrination, for change.
*****************************************
The E-Mail:
Insubordination?
My son declared during his draft interview that he will refuse any order directing him to assault in any way Jewish people. His profile was then lowered to 72 and removed from actual soldiering. Right now he is inching back into relevant military assignments. Was he an exception. NOT BY FAR! He was not an isolated case. Thousands are segregated in that and other fashions.
It is completely in line with the present form of unJewish government to attempt to divert the people from the truth. And that is known TO EVERYONE that opted to reside inside the system.
Refusing to follow orders clearly oriented to harm JEWISH national interests and safety is indeed the obligation of every individual soldier.
But that is not good enough.
That soldier or soldiers opting not to follow ill conceived and or illegal orders must be given access to alternative service frameworks by a different system of government parallel to the one causing harm to the Nation. Simply refusing orders obviously geared to serve limited cadres and foreign interests is a great start but those fine people must know that THE PEOPLE support them.
That is another reason why a "government in waiting" including such options is also a top priority.
It is folly to believe that anyone will "change the quagmire from within". The GoI is completely at the service of certain cadres and they will not cede command, not ever.
SHmuel
*****************************************
My 10 Agaroth:
There is no question that this is taking place, and that there is differential treatment toward religious soldiers.
The Mamlakhtim are encouraged, and have future careers available to them in the army, because they are know to be "loyal" to the State.
The Toranim, those whose loyalties to HaShem and His Torah are greater than those toward the "almighty State" are scrutinized, have their Hesder yeshivah chipped away, [Hesder students] are not allowed to serve in certain units (paratroopers and one other). The army knew better than to have the Golani and Nahal Haredi units involved in any way with the Azza expulsion. But that's apparently not good enough. The Army is now "cleansing" certain units of soldiers like these with "disloyal" thinking.
Who is the instrument behind it all? A Mamlakhti head of army personnel. His name need not be mentioned.
Jews in Israel do not want to believe that the division between the TWO national religious camps is becoming more clearly defined everyday, for the sake of unity. Many Jews outside of Israel can't believe it.
The only way to combat this is to began at home by emphasizing to our children that:
חוקי התורה קודמין לחוקי האדם
1) "Torah Law takes precedence over human, or State, law," whenever there is a stirah (apparent contradiction).
2) If possible, send your children to non-MaMa"D (mamlakhti datti) schools, where, whether you like it or not, they are being indoctrinated into an Israeli society of numbed-out, State-loyalists
What does all of this have to do with enlisting into the army?
We must take responsibility for the education of our children. They'll be the ones on the front lines soon, both in and out of the army. The only way to prevent future expulsions is to have an army educated to know the difference between right (Torah) and wrong (non-Torah). We obviously cannot expect the State to do that for us. Look what happened when many of us tried that already. Some of you non-religious, nationalists [whom I happen to appreciate very much and with whom I can identify even more than the religious Mamlakhtim] may be asking, "Why do you have to bring up Torah? What does Torah have to do with it? You're only going to push people away from our cause. Now, he's the scary part: We're not only up against those in the Kenesseth who are adamantly anti-Torah, we're up against "rabbanim" who have money and resources to get out their mamlakhti hashqafic messages out there.
Fortunately, there are Rabbis out there who have the courage to differentiate between hallachah and Israeli law, AND actually back up what they say with hallachic [not hashqafic] sources. Rabbanim like Rav Dov Lior (Qiriyath Arba), Rav Moshe Tzuriel (B'nei Braq), Rav Yisrael Ariel (Makhon HaMiqdash) give us hope. But, we must do our part, which starts at home."
Some of you non-religious, nationalists [whom I happen to appreciate very much and with whom I can identify even more than the religious Mamlakhtim] may be asking, "Why do you have to bring up Torah? What does Torah have to do with it? You're only going to push people away from our cause."
Now, he's the scary part: We're not only up against those in the Kenesseth who are adamantly anti-Torah, we're up against "rabbanim" who have money and resources to get out their mamlakhti hashqafic messages out there.
One rabbi in the Shomron, has gone so far as to call the undying loyalty to the almighty State of some of these mamlakhti "rabbanim," avodah zarah, on level with our sin of worshiping the golden calf (Exodus 32). Other rabbis has suggested that "fascist" would be a more appropriate description. Either way, the prognosis does not appear to be very promising.
In addition to such rabbis who are not afraid to speak out, there are fortunately Rabbis out there who have the courage to differentiate between hallachah and Israeli law, AND actually back up what they say with hallachic [not hashqafic] sources.
Rabbanim like Rav Dov Lior (Qiriyath Arba), Rav Moshe Tzuriel (B'nei Braq), Rav Yisrael Ariel (Temple Institute) give us hope. But, we must do our part, which starts at home.
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Additional News & Commentary on IDF Soldiers Refusing Orders:
Israel National TV:
Soldiers from the IDF "Dukifat" Unit Receive Awards
Lousi Rene Beres, Ph.D.:
On IDF Refusals To Follow Orders: The Interlocking Perspectives Of National Law, International Law And Jewish Law (Part One of Three)
Ted Belman:
Insubordination is Appropriate when Government is Illegitimate
I recently received an e-mail from a like-minded journalist in the north of Israel, SHmu'el HaLevy, commenting on the issue of IDF soldiers refusing orders.
Following his letter is my "10 Agaroth" on why soldiers are even placed in a situation where they must decide whether or not to follow orders.
Following this are links to news and additional commentary on the topic of IDF soldiers refusing orders.
Most people consider me to be a "right-wing extremist." I'll have to assume that's due to my respect for Torah and it's central importance to Am Yisrael and humanity in general. I cannot imagine why else I would be categorized in this manner.
However, many of those who have placed me into this box, a box in which I am quite pleased to dwell, are usually surprised, if not shocked, by the rahmanuth (compassion/mercy) with which I regard those IDF soldiers, thrown into a position of having to decide whether or not to refuse orders.
Usually, I am the one frustrated and yelling at those, even some so-called right-wing, religious Jews, who so casually want to give up land, which is not even ours to give up, and to expel Jews from their homes (See Mishneh Torah, Hil. Hovel u'Maziq Ch. 8). Yet the soldiers on the front lines are products of both Israeli public school brainwashing, and the teachings by what one Hakham (truly wise rabbi) calls "Rabbanim Tze'irim" (b'lashon haRaMB"aM). (Just hug them first, then throw them out of their homes.)
How can such soldiers be held responsible for any actions they take in violation of Torah? Eighteen years of programming is just too much for many of them to overcome. One is not exempt from attempting to get through to the Jewish soul locked inside of the soldier, and to encourage him to do the right thing. But for the long-term, we must target the sources of such indoctrination, for change.
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The E-Mail:
Insubordination?
My son declared during his draft interview that he will refuse any order directing him to assault in any way Jewish people. His profile was then lowered to 72 and removed from actual soldiering. Right now he is inching back into relevant military assignments. Was he an exception. NOT BY FAR! He was not an isolated case. Thousands are segregated in that and other fashions.
It is completely in line with the present form of unJewish government to attempt to divert the people from the truth. And that is known TO EVERYONE that opted to reside inside the system.
Refusing to follow orders clearly oriented to harm JEWISH national interests and safety is indeed the obligation of every individual soldier.
But that is not good enough.
That soldier or soldiers opting not to follow ill conceived and or illegal orders must be given access to alternative service frameworks by a different system of government parallel to the one causing harm to the Nation. Simply refusing orders obviously geared to serve limited cadres and foreign interests is a great start but those fine people must know that THE PEOPLE support them.
That is another reason why a "government in waiting" including such options is also a top priority.
It is folly to believe that anyone will "change the quagmire from within". The GoI is completely at the service of certain cadres and they will not cede command, not ever.
SHmuel
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My 10 Agaroth:
There is no question that this is taking place, and that there is differential treatment toward religious soldiers.
The Mamlakhtim are encouraged, and have future careers available to them in the army, because they are know to be "loyal" to the State.
The Toranim, those whose loyalties to HaShem and His Torah are greater than those toward the "almighty State" are scrutinized, have their Hesder yeshivah chipped away, [Hesder students] are not allowed to serve in certain units (paratroopers and one other). The army knew better than to have the Golani and Nahal Haredi units involved in any way with the Azza expulsion. But that's apparently not good enough. The Army is now "cleansing" certain units of soldiers like these with "disloyal" thinking.
Who is the instrument behind it all? A Mamlakhti head of army personnel. His name need not be mentioned.
Jews in Israel do not want to believe that the division between the TWO national religious camps is becoming more clearly defined everyday, for the sake of unity. Many Jews outside of Israel can't believe it.
The only way to combat this is to began at home by emphasizing to our children that:
חוקי התורה קודמין לחוקי האדם
1) "Torah Law takes precedence over human, or State, law," whenever there is a stirah (apparent contradiction).
2) If possible, send your children to non-MaMa"D (mamlakhti datti) schools, where, whether you like it or not, they are being indoctrinated into an Israeli society of numbed-out, State-loyalists
What does all of this have to do with enlisting into the army?
We must take responsibility for the education of our children. They'll be the ones on the front lines soon, both in and out of the army. The only way to prevent future expulsions is to have an army educated to know the difference between right (Torah) and wrong (non-Torah). We obviously cannot expect the State to do that for us. Look what happened when many of us tried that already. Some of you non-religious, nationalists [whom I happen to appreciate very much and with whom I can identify even more than the religious Mamlakhtim] may be asking, "Why do you have to bring up Torah? What does Torah have to do with it? You're only going to push people away from our cause. Now, he's the scary part: We're not only up against those in the Kenesseth who are adamantly anti-Torah, we're up against "rabbanim" who have money and resources to get out their mamlakhti hashqafic messages out there.
Fortunately, there are Rabbis out there who have the courage to differentiate between hallachah and Israeli law, AND actually back up what they say with hallachic [not hashqafic] sources. Rabbanim like Rav Dov Lior (Qiriyath Arba), Rav Moshe Tzuriel (B'nei Braq), Rav Yisrael Ariel (Makhon HaMiqdash) give us hope. But, we must do our part, which starts at home."
Some of you non-religious, nationalists [whom I happen to appreciate very much and with whom I can identify even more than the religious Mamlakhtim] may be asking, "Why do you have to bring up Torah? What does Torah have to do with it? You're only going to push people away from our cause."
Now, he's the scary part: We're not only up against those in the Kenesseth who are adamantly anti-Torah, we're up against "rabbanim" who have money and resources to get out their mamlakhti hashqafic messages out there.
One rabbi in the Shomron, has gone so far as to call the undying loyalty to the almighty State of some of these mamlakhti "rabbanim," avodah zarah, on level with our sin of worshiping the golden calf (Exodus 32). Other rabbis has suggested that "fascist" would be a more appropriate description. Either way, the prognosis does not appear to be very promising.
In addition to such rabbis who are not afraid to speak out, there are fortunately Rabbis out there who have the courage to differentiate between hallachah and Israeli law, AND actually back up what they say with hallachic [not hashqafic] sources.
Rabbanim like Rav Dov Lior (Qiriyath Arba), Rav Moshe Tzuriel (B'nei Braq), Rav Yisrael Ariel (Temple Institute) give us hope. But, we must do our part, which starts at home.
*****************************************
Additional News & Commentary on IDF Soldiers Refusing Orders:
Israel National TV:
Soldiers from the IDF "Dukifat" Unit Receive Awards
Lousi Rene Beres, Ph.D.:
On IDF Refusals To Follow Orders: The Interlocking Perspectives Of National Law, International Law And Jewish Law (Part One of Three)
Ted Belman:
Insubordination is Appropriate when Government is Illegitimate
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