Tel-Chai Nation: Chief rabbi perpetuates embarrassment of anti-enlistment position

Yitzhak Yosef, the chief rabbi of Israel, has once again led to a most divisive situation by opposing Haredi enlistment in the military, saying they'll emigrate if it's mandatory, and all at a time when the country was struck by the horror of the Hamas massacre last year:

Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef threatened in his weekly Saturday night sermon that Haredim would leave Israel en masse if their exemption from the country's compulsory service is not renewed, sparking calls from critics for his resignation.

Speaking to his adherents, Rabbi Yosef compared the Haredim to the ancient priestly tribe of Levi and tied Israel's military successes to studying the Torah.

"The tribe of Levi is exempt from the army. They are not taken, under any circumstances," he said. “If you force us to go to the army, we’ll all move abroad. We will buy tickets; there is no such thing as forcing us into the army. The state stands on this.

And just what concrete proof does he have that Levi was "exempt"? The son of the late Ovadia Yosef has proven just as embarrassing as he became in his later years. After the jihad the Hamas unleashed on October 7, 2023, Yosef has the gall to say such repulsive stuff, as though bringing down savages isn't vital? What Yosef's done is exactly what Israel's enemies would want to hear. And he likely knows it. I think some of the best reactions to Yosef's offensive blather are the following:

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, in a post in memory of his cousin Major (res.) Amishar Ben David who fell in the southern Gaza Strip the night before Yosef's comments, wrote "I hope that whoever made these remarks will understand his mistake, retract it and apologize."

And:

Rabbi David Stav, chair of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization, said, "During this time of continued pain and tragedy for the people of Israel, where nearly every day we are witness to more and more of our children falling in defense of this land, every focus must be on defending and supporting service in our military. Any statement that encourages avoiding IDF service is a despicable moral stain and blasphemous.

"The threat of leaving Israel specifically to avoid defending our nation is particularly reprehensible and completely contradicts the spirit of Halacha. One would expect that someone who sits at the head of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate would encourage IDF service as opposed to dodging service to the extent of actually leaving the country."

Some organizations called for Yosef to be removed from his position over the statements.

Yosef has desecrated the memory of IDF soldiers who've fallen in battle against the Moslem jihadists in Gaza, including Smotrich's cousin. And the only way Yosef can mend fences is to resign. It goes without saying he's also insulted biblical Moses, who made a vital argument against just sitting around while the ancient Israelites were wandering in the deserts for 40 years before being able to reach Israel.

Update: one can also wonder why Yosef's not concerned about the anti-Israeli movements in Haredi societies themselves, right here in the country. Because what they're doing is even more hurtful.

Update 2: the Jerusalem Post editorial addressed the issue:

Yosef asserted that, if forced to join the army, haredim would collectively move abroad, posing a potential upheaval for the nation.

Needless to say, this is a horrible thing to say. Israel’s defense equates Israel’s existence, and the rabbi’s comments not only reject that fact, they insult those who strive to defend their country, both in mandatory service and the reserves. [...]

This, if anything, is an insult to soldiers who have fought, especially now, amid war, to ensure the safety of Israel’s citizens, secular and ultra-Orthodox alike.

We do not presume to know the will of God, but neither should Yosef, especially when it comes to the protection of our sacred land.

[...] There is no doubt that the defense of the Jewish people in the world’s only Jewish state is a milhemet mitzvah. Hundreds of soldiers, from all backgrounds, have sacrificed their lives during this righteous war. Haredi leaders should ignore politics and be a part of the broader nation of Israel, in fighting for its survival.

The threat of a mass departure by the haredim may not be an empty threat and it should not be acceptable. It raises important questions about religious freedom and national security in the State of Israel.

Ultimately, however, there is only one side of this debate threatening to leave the country if asked to serve. If the threats are false, it is an cruel gesture. If they are real, they have misinterpreted the word of God.