Do Charedim Think Their Lives Are Worth More Than Those Who Serve?
Absolutely not.
There is no idea more false—or more painful—than the accusation that the Charedi world thinks their lives are more valuable than the lives of soldiers who risk everything for Am Yisrael. The very question touches a deep nerve. Because the answer, from a Torah standpoint, is clear, eternal, and unwavering:
Every Jewish soul is infinitely precious.
The Value of Every Jew
The Torah teaches:
"Kol Yisrael areivim zeh bazeh" – All Jews are bound together in mutual responsibility (Shavuos 39a).
"V’chai bahem" – The mitzvos were given so that we may live by them (Vayikra 18:5).
And Chazal say:
"Chaviv Adam shenivra b’tzelem" – Beloved is man, for he was created in the image of G-d (Avos 3:14).
The Charedi world is raised with this foundational emunah: every Jew is a brother or sister. We cry when a soldier falls. We say Tehillim when there is a terror attack. We fast and plead with Hashem when Jewish lives are at stake—no matter whose.
Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l would rise to his feet if a wounded IDF soldier entered the room, saying, “He gave part of his guf (body) for Klal Yisrael. We owe him respect.”
Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l wrote that even Jews who don’t keep Torah and mitzvos are part of our family, and we are obligated to care for them, to daven for them, and to hope for their return.¹
This is the true Torah view. And this is the Charedi view.
Charedi Pain, Charedi Tefillah
In Charedi homes and yeshivos, when sirens go off or a soldier is killed, tears are shed. Young children say extra kappitlach of Tehillim. Notices are put up in shuls to daven for wounded soldiers. Entire communities take on kaballos to arouse rachamei Shamayim.
In 2014, during Operation Protective Edge, a group of Charedi women in Bnei Brak took on baking challah every week with special tefillos for soldiers by name. They didn’t know them personally—but they knew they were brothers.
Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l was once seen crying during Minchah after a terror attack. When asked what was wrong, he replied:
“Do you think their pain doesn’t reach us? A Jew is a Jew. Even if he doesn’t keep mitzvos, his blood is red. We need to daven harder.”
A Story: The Soldier Who Came to the Charedi Home
A wounded IDF soldier was sent to a rehabilitation center in Jerusalem. He was non-religious, had grown up secular, and felt distant from the Charedi world.
One Friday afternoon, while trying to get home for Shabbos, he missed his bus. Stranded in a Charedi neighborhood, he didn’t know where to go.
A Charedi family noticed him from their porch, limping with a duffel bag, and called down, “Do you need a place for Shabbos?”
He was skeptical. “Aren’t you guys against us?”
The father replied: “No. We’re all one nation. Come inside.”
He did. He ate at their table. He heard divrei Torah. He saw the honor given to every guest. And as tears welled up in his eyes, he said, “No one ever told me you cared.”
Conclusion: Real Unity Comes From Real Torah
To accuse the Charedi world of thinking their lives are worth more is to completely misunderstand what Torah teaches—and how deeply it penetrates the Charedi heart.
The Mishnah says: “Mipnei shalom” – for the sake of peace, a Kohen may even modify the truth (Yevamos 65b).
But the Torah itself never modifies its message: “Lo sisna es achicha bilvavecha” – do not hate your brother in your heart (Vayikra 19:17).
We are not greater. We are not holier. We are brothers.
And whether a Jew protects Klal Yisrael with a tank or a Torah, with tefillin or a Tehillim, he is part of the sacred nation that Hashem chose with love.
Sources & Footnotes
- Igros Moshe, Choshen Mishpat 2:65 – Rav Moshe speaks of the shared responsibility for every Jew, regardless of observance.
- Ohr HaShteinman, Vol. 2 – Testimony from talmidim who observed Rav Shteinman’s heartfelt reactions to national tragedies.
- Kol Mevaser Newsletter, July 2014 – Documentation of the challah-baking initiative for soldiers in Bnei Brak.
- Mishpacha Magazine, 2015 – Anonymous testimony from a soldier who stayed with a Charedi family for Shabbos.