The current crisis in Eretz Yisrael constitutes an extended educational seminar on two topics: what is Torah and what does it mean to be a student of Torah?
At the outset let’s dispense with those issues on which there is little or no essential dispute. No one argues that people who aren’t interested or capable of learning full-time must do so anyway. The many programs that have been providing training and placement for thousands of men in the Torah community over the past many years should make this abundantly clear.
There are also those who have little or no interest in learning full-time but perhaps remain enrolled in yeshivah for other reasons such as to avoid the responsibility to earn a living or the possible stigma associated with leaving the yeshivah. Although this group whose numbers are not known is often invoked by supporters of the drafting of bnei Torah it is disingenuous to do so. The central debate is not over their fate and pointing to them is simply an attempt to change the subject or tar all bnei Torah with their disrepute.
The essential issue is this: What of the many many thousands of bochurim and yungeleit who fiercely love Torah genuinely live Torah and wish to remain immersed in its full-time study? The conflicting positions on this question are well known. Less appreciated however are the beliefs that underpin these positions which make all the difference in the world.
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