hasidic jews struggle with the idea of serving

By Jordana Lorrimer ‘28
In the past few years, the question of Hasidic Jews joining the IDF has created a very opinionated discussion in Israel and between most Jews around the world. 

In the past, most Hasidic Jews have been excused from mandatory military service because of their strict religious beliefs and lifestyle. However, recent developments have sparked new discussions on this topic.
The enlistment exemption for Hasidic Jews dates back to the start of Israel in 1948 when a small number of dedicated Torah scholars were excused from the military. However, times have changed. Should this exemption still apply now? Should all Hasidic Jews not be required to serve? 
Many Jews believe it’s unfair that Hasidic Jews don't have the same requirement to enroll in military service. 
Others see it as rude and unloyal to their country which has served them for many years. 
Freshman Noa Rejwan says, “Everyone who lives in Israel should join no matter their denomination unless they have a medical reason.” 
According to I24 News, There are around 1.3 million ultra-Orthodox Jews out of Israel’s 9.558 million citizens. The ultra-Orthodox community makes up about 13% of Israel's population.
Sophomore Mia Eskin says, “I believe that in a time of war, those numbers could make a drastic impact, however, if they are not comfortable serving, there should be no enforcement upon them, especially because they are exempt from serving in the IDF for religious purposes.” 
Yet, the rise of Hasidic Jews in Israel has become quite noticeable in recent years. Ultra-Orthodox women typically marry at a younger age and have much higher pregnancy rates, averaging 7.1 children each, compared to 3.1 in the general population. From 2010 to 2017, the number of ultra-Orthodox school students increased by 141%, indicating a strong focus on education within these communities. With this population increase in the ultra-Orthodox community, it is starting to raise greater awareness of this argument. This is important in discussions about political dynamics in Israel, raising questions about the future role of ultra-Orthodox communities in society.
Every year, around 13,000 ultra-Orthodox men reach the age when they should enlist in the military, but only 10 percent choose to enlist leaving the other 90 percent to not. 
Ultra-Orthodox communities, particularly among Hasidic Jews, have consistently resisted military service, thinking it is not suitable for their religious beliefs and their relationship with the state of Israel. 
Hugh Lovatt, an expert on the  Israel-Palestine conflict, says that these communities think issues with Palestinians are not their problem. Many Hasidic Jews prioritize their religious practices, which interferes with their ability to serve in the military, as keeping a healthy balance between duty and faith can be extremely difficult. 
Additionally, some disagree with Israel's traditional methods of conflict resolution, disagreeing with military solutions due to violence so by opting out of military service, they distance themselves from violent conflict.
Compared to most Jews, the Hasidic Jewish community holds a unique perspective regarding the State of Israel. Some believe that the establishment of a Jewish state should only happen when the Messiah has come, therefore believing that the State of Israel does not represent a truly Jewish country, a very controversial opinion with Jews around the world.