7.
Many religious and traditional Israeli girls have, in recent years,
been subjected to increasing attempts to draft them into the Army.
8. In some cases, the Army even drafts such girls into mixed units and combat units.
9. Tragically, many traditional and even religious girls have fallen into the Army, recently.
10.
Generally, that's the result of the lack of effective outreach to such
girls, particularly sefardic girls, especially those coming from a
religiously weak background.
11. Many girls
have fallen into the Army because of illegal maneuvers and manipulation
by the Draft Offices, operating under "Meitav."
12.
Chomosaich is an organization providing assistance to any girl who
seeks to save herself from the draft, regardless of her religiosity or
background.
13. They provide information and
help coordinate legal assistance with Israeli attorneys competent in
saving these girls from the draft.
14. Chomosaich also provides girls in the exemption process with vital chizuk.
15.
Often, another vital need is public awareness. Why? Because
intelligent PR is often necessary, to exert pressure often instrumental
in rescuing these girls from government intimidation and threats, and
even incarceration in military prison.
16. We
in the Diaspora have an distinctly pivotal capacity to impede such
Israeli policies, by simply speaking out, in an intelligent manner. The
Israeli government frequently tends to ignore domestic public opinion
on such matters, but remains sensitive to its much-cultivated image in
the outside world. Thus, properly raising public awareness in the
Diaspora is one of the most effective, and probably by far the most
efficient, practical means of saving these innocent girls and women from
indescribable travails.
B. Ofek Y. - an example of just one of the many girls currently being assisted:
1.
Ofek Y., a Ba'alas Teshuva, not yet 18, has been recently returning to
her religious roots, even studying in religious "Midrashiyah." She had
applied for her religious exemption.
2. The Army ordered her to appear at a Religiosity Interview (or interrogation), a Rayon Dat ("R.D.") on July 26, '20.
3.
In compliance with with the directive of Torah authorities, and those
familiar with draft hazards, to refuse any such appearances, she
declined. The monumental practical dangers, and the consequent
Halachic objections involved with the R.D. have been covered online
(search First Amendment Activist and Daat Torah blogs, for example).
4.
Now, one needs to question: by what right did the Draft Office have to
summon Miss Y. to a R.D.? Her religiosity has been established via the
standard legal procedures. Once she submitted her religiosity
certification, legally speaking, she's entitled to an automatic
religious exemption, unless the Army has bona fide basis to suspect her
religiosity. Apparently, they have none.
5. As
newly rediscovering her religious roots, her having studied in a
nonreligious school should not even register as a blip on the Army
radar. Thus, the only legal pretext for a R.D. is some indication of
fakery. If so, what is it? Letters from her original attorney have not
yet yielded either insight or cooperation from the Army Draft Office.
6.
This type of Army treatment pattern - apparently flaunting their own
laws or rules - fits a pattern to which we've been increasingly privy,
especially in recent months. In fact, this treatment profile actually
comports neatly with the Army human-trafficking profile.
7.
Alarmingly, ALL girls who have studied in non-religious schools, among
those we've been in contact with recently - have been summoned to a
Rayon Dat.
8. This policy shift requires girls to hire attorneys many of them can't afford.
9.
This creates pressure on the girls to fight the government, risking
arrest and often emotionally brutal treatment in Israeli military jail,
or else succumb to the draft.
10. According
to the Torah, there is no choice. Torah Sages, from the Chazon Ish and
Rav Pesach Frank, to the Steipler Gaon, and MANY others, all concur that
the female draft is Yai'horaig ve'Al Ya'avor, period.
11.
Miss Y. turns 18 in December, and her draft date R"L is scheduled for
Jan. 4, '21. After that point, without a formal legal exemption, she
would be deemed to be a draft-dodger, and R"L subject to arrest,
incarceration in Military Prison, and mistreatment by prison staff
frequently filled with animosity towards girls avoiding the draft.
12.
Imagine the merit each person reading this could gain by assuming an
obligation to assist such heroic individuals, as we approach the Yomim
Noraim. And imagine the Midah Keneged Midah recompense in store for
those who answer the call.
13. On the other hand, consider the alternative, as articulated in The Jewish Press (in an Op Ed against the Army drafting of girls), Jan. 11, '19, p. 9, end),
"We
must ensure that we are not recorded in Heaven amongst those who fail
to stand up for people who cannot defend themselves and cry out to us
for help. Hashem hears their cries and will, chas v’shalom, exact an
extremely heavy price if we abandon them."
14.
What a merit such mitzvah would provide us, to live to witness the
arrival of the Redemption, for helping save "noshim tzidkoniyos"
(righteous women), in whose merit the Final Redemption will come (Kav
HaYashar, 82, see also Gemara Sotah 11, Rus Rabbah 4:11).
There's still time.
A Kesiva ve'v'Chasima Tova,
BF
~~~~~
"...
And if someone, like Pinchos, is one among a multitude, and every man
is against him when he dares to speak out for truth and to fight for the
Law -- the more lonely his stand, the greater the number of his
adversaries, the more powerful is his word, the mightier his deed."
-- Rav Shamshon Raphael Hirsch OB"M (1808-1888), (in "Judaism Eternal," vol. 2, p. 293)
