Are Charedim Really Needed in the Army?
Much of the criticism aimed at the Charedi community regarding army service hinges on the assumption that they are avoiding a national duty while everyone else shoulders the burden. But the facts tell a very different—and far more nuanced—story.
Every year, approximately 50,000–55,000 Jewish males become eligible for enlistment in the IDF. Of that number, only about 30,000–32,000 actually enlist. That means between 18,000–20,000 Jewish men do not serve in the army each year.
Who are these non-enlistees?
- Some are from the Charedi community.
- Some are from the Arab sector.
- Some receive medical exemptions or psychological deferrals.
- Some have criminal records or other disqualifying circumstances.
- But importantly—and often omitted from public discourse—about 6,000–7,000 are secular Jewish men who simply do not enlist, despite being eligible.
That’s roughly 14% of secular Israeli men who are not Charedim, not Arab, and not officially exempt—but still manage to avoid service, year after year.
So the assertion that Charedim are uniquely avoiding their national duty is factually false. There is a wide swath of Israeli society that does not participate in the IDF for a variety of reasons. Yet the pressure, headlines, and protests seem to focus almost exclusively on the Charedim.
And Still—Israel Prevails
Even with all of these thousands of exemptions, Israel’s military continues to function and win wars. Even with tens of thousands not serving—some Charedi, some not—Israel has overcome threats on multiple fronts, from coordinated Arab invasions to terrorist wars of attrition, with Hashem’s help.
This leads to a deeper truth that the Torah world has always proclaimed: Victory does not come from the size of our army—it comes from the merit of our Torah.
The spiritual protection provided by yeshivos, kollelim, tefillos, and mitzvos is not a slogan—it is the foundation of Jewish survival. Just as Yehoshua could not conquer Amalek without the raised hands of Moshe Rabbeinu (Shemos 17:11), the IDF cannot prevail without the spiritual shield provided by those who devote their lives to Torah.
As Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l said:
“They don’t need Charedim in the army. They need Torah. And they need emunah in Torah.”¹
To claim that the Charedim are preventing national security is not only unfair—it is factually and spiritually inaccurate.
Footnote:
- Quoted by Rav Chaim Kanievsky in Orchos Yosher, and in private discussions with government officials.