update: Rabbi Hoffman's rebuttal of Rabbi Slifkin's comments
update Rabbi Slifkin sent me this rebuttal
Five Towns Jewish Time This is a response to my good friend Reb Barry Jacobson’s remarks on the Asifa this past Sunday in Manhattan. It also addresses his inquiry printed in the Five Towns Jewish Times about Torah sources regarding Bnei Torah continuing to study rather than serving in the army. There is no question, of course, that the soldiers who are protecting the nation against the enemies of the Jewish people are fulfilling a remarkable task and a holy role. Certainly, all of us who are beneficiaries of their bravery and dedication should express our sincere hakaras haTov and pray for their welfare and well-being.
update Rabbi Slifkin sent me this rebuttal
Five Towns Jewish Time This is a response to my good friend Reb Barry Jacobson’s remarks on the Asifa this past Sunday in Manhattan. It also addresses his inquiry printed in the Five Towns Jewish Times about Torah sources regarding Bnei Torah continuing to study rather than serving in the army. There is no question, of course, that the soldiers who are protecting the nation against the enemies of the Jewish people are fulfilling a remarkable task and a holy role. Certainly, all of us who are beneficiaries of their bravery and dedication should express our sincere hakaras haTov and pray for their welfare and well-being.
The leading sages of America, Degel HaTorah, Agudah in Eretz Yisroel
and the sages of Shas – the Sefardic Torah organization had all signed
on for the call to join in the mass gathering in the Wall Street area.
The mass gathering was to show solidarity with the Torah community in
Israel that is facing the unprecedented law in the state of Israel’s
history to draft Yeshiva students into the armed forces.
This response is an explanation and a historical overview about the
confluence of army service and Torah study. Not everyone will agree
with the explanations and positions set forth here. However, those that
do not agree must realize that they do come from a very different
socio-religious milieu than those in the Chareido world who have been
brought up with and raised with a deep appreciation of Torah being the
only definition of true life.
Serious-minded Chareidi Jews do not merely recite the words of the
blessings of the Shma perfunctorily. No. When they recite the words,
“Ki haim chayeinu – for they are our life – v’orech yameinu and the
pathways of our life..” – they truly mean it. [...]
What is missing in all this, however, is the realization that we are
all children of the same mother and father. We are all parts of the
same body and we should treat each other with the respect and love that
we must have for our family members – even if we do disagree as to what
approach should be emphasized or adopted. Recently, we have seen two
conflicting PR Youtube videos to a song entitled “Anu Mashkimim v’haim
Mashkimim.” The song explains how we awaken early for the right
purposes, they awaken early for useless purposes. The song was used by
both sides of the debate to denigrate the other side. Both uses of the
song are wrong. We stand now in the month of Adar. The Manos HaLevi,
Rav Shlomo Alkabetz, explains that the concept of Shalach Manos is to
further brotherly love and ahavas Yisroel among ourselves. It is to
counter the statement of Haman that the Jewish nation is Mefuzar and
Mefurad throughout the nations because of their lack of unity. The
month of Adar should counter the spirit of disunity and contribute to
family love.
May Hashem speedily grant mutual respect and unity among us. Amain!