Israel's Haredi Draft Exemption Becomes Flashpoint as Community Grows

In Israel, the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community, known as Haredim, is impossible to overlook. Men in black suits and hats, women in modest dress with covered hair, and large families in tow are a common sight. Their numbers are growing, and so is their influence on Israeli politics and culture.

This rising clout has put their way of life under a microscope, particularly their exemption from mandatory military service. Mass protests have erupted over proposed changes to draft rules, making this one of the most contentious issues as the country nears three years of war on multiple fronts. With national elections approaching, ultra-Orthodox parties are expected to play a pivotal role.

At the heart of the matter is a core belief: studying the Torah is the highest duty, surpassing work or military service, even in wartime. This conviction is deeply held by many in the community. Judith Rosenblum, a mother of eight, says conscription could compromise religious practice. Yet, she is proud that three of her sons chose to enlist after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, acknowledging that those who left full-time study did the right thing by defending the country.

The term Haredi, meaning "fearful of God," dates back to the late 19th century. Rabbi Beryl Gershenfeld, who runs two Jerusalem yeshivas, explains that understanding the Torah is the crucial mission of life. These seminaries are the beating heart of the community, where students spend long days in prayer and study.

Etl Lovy, a 22-year-old student, describes days that begin at 7 a.m. with prayer and continue with Talmud studies until late evening. He plans to continue studying while his future wife works, saying his life is not about making money. For the ultra-Orthodox, every second is devoted to God, and many see their path as a bulwark against assimilation.

The draft exemption has historical roots. After the Holocaust, the new state of Israel granted a few hundred scholars special rights to rebuild Torah study. Over time, conservative governments broadened this to all who wished to study full-time. The community has since grown rapidly, projected to be 25% of the population by 2050 and 40% of potential draftees.

This growth has sparked concern among other Israelis about the societal cost. Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz of the Israel Democracy Institute says the question is who pays the price for this choice of life, from welfare taxes to reserve duty burdens. Fewer than 10% of ultra-Orthodox men of conscription age enlist, a figure that has drawn sharp criticism from the military's chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, who called the exemptions "inconceivable" given the troops' sacrifices.

Most ultra-Orthodox rabbis remain adamant, arguing that military service would dilute piety at a critical age. Students like Lovy say they pray for soldiers but do not apologize for their choice. "I'm doing what God wants," he says, a sentiment that captures the deep divide between faith and civic duty in modern Israel.