Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef has spoken

Chief Rabbi tells Yeshiva students: "Tear up IDF draft orders, flush them down the toilet"

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef did not equivocate or beat around the bush when he discussed the sensitive issue of Yeshiva students enlisting into the IDF. It's clear where he stands on this one.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef during a shaharit prayer in the northern Israeli city of Tzfat, September 17, 2024 (Photo by David Cohen/Flash90)

Former Chief Rabbi (Rishon LeZion) Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef addressed the issue of military draft orders being sent to thousands of yeshiva students.

In a talk given to students this week, he called for them to tear up their draft notices and dispose of them, stating: "We need to study Torah. Why did we return to the Land of Israel? To become secular? We're in a very difficult period for the yeshiva world."

In a lecture given at the beginning of this week to yeshiva students in Jerusalem, Rabbi Yosef addressed the students saying: "Thank God you're sitting and studying. You have issues with the army, they sent you draft orders - listen to the Torah leaders. I was the first to declare this, when no one else was talking about it, last Adar when I was still in office. I declared that if they don't let us study here - we'll go abroad. We need to study Torah. Why did we return to the Land of Israel? To become secular?"

Rabbi Yosef shared: "I made clear statements and they filed a petition to the Supreme Court, they gave orders to remove me from my position as a judge in the High Rabbinical Court. They didn't succeed, we stood firm. 'Do not be afraid of any person.' Even the yeshiva heads - especially the Ashkenazi ones - called us and gave support."

He instructed the students: "I said that if a draft order arrives - tear it up. Do you have a toilet at home? There's no house without a bathroom. Tear it up (the draft order), throw it in the toilet and flush. There's nothing to it, don't even consider it."

Rabbi Yosef added a warning to the yeshiva students: "Be careful not to run red lights, don't commit traffic violations. Why am I saying this? There was a student who committed traffic violations, they stopped him - saw he was a draft dodger and took him into custody."

"Don't be afraid, God is with you," Rabbi Yosef continued. "We hope this will pass. This is a very difficult period for the yeshiva world, there are decrees, be strong."

Kikar HaShabbat contributed to this article.


0 Comments

Do not send comments that include inflammatory words, defamation, and content that exceeds the limit of good taste.


Bold souls

Haredi youth train for IDF's most elite units

Avi Nachmani | 17.12.24

Kollel by day, Kafr Kanna by night

Haredi man volunteers at a police station in Arab town of Kafr Kanna

Avi Nachmani | 12.12.24

Don't just sit there - Do something

FIGHT BACK: Ultra-Orthodox Jews urged to respond to abuse

Gila Isaacson | 11.12.24

Brazen antisemitic attack

WATCH: Haredi man attacked by Arab man in East Jerusalem 

Avi Nachmani | 05.12.24

Making progress step by step

First Haredi Underground Aircraft Shelter (UAS) established in the Air Force

Avi Nachmani | 04.12.24

Baruch Dayan HaEmet

Leading Sefardi Chief Rabbi David Tzadka dies at 88

Gila Isaacson | 04.12.24

Brauch Dayna HaEmet

Rabbi Chanoch Berman, the Steipler Rav's grandson, passed away

Gila Isaacson | 03.12.24

Haredi Teens at Risk

Bnei Brak kids torch neighborhood playground in likely arson

Gila Isaacson | 03.12.24

Without any prior medical issues

BREAKING: 12-year-old student loses consciousness on a Bnei Brak playground

1
| Gila Isaacson | 02.12.24

WIll the Haredim ever join the IDF? 

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef SLAMS government over military draft crisis

Gila Isaacson | 01.12.24

Drama in the Shas Party

Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef could join the Shas Party's top leadership

Gila Isaacson | 26.11.24

From Mir to Shanghai, and back to Jerusalem

How Rabbi Nachum Partzovitz & Mir Yeshiva shaped today's yeshiva learning

Gila Isaacson | 19.11.24

Gaavad of Eida Haredit in tears

WATCH: Prominent Rabbi Shternbuch bursts into tears during 'Avinu Malkeinu' 

Gila Isaacson | 19.11.24
Get JFeed App
Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play