Why Don’t Charedim Participate Equally in the Workforce?
At first glance, critics claim that Charedim are choosing not to participate in the workforce, draining the economy while refusing to carry their “fair share.” But such claims ignore one of the most crucial realities behind the numbers:
In Israel, the State itself prevents many Charedim from entering the workforce before the age of 26.
This is not a Charedi policy. It is a legal policy enforced by the government that penalizes any Charedi man under 26 who is not serving in the army—even if he sincerely wishes to work. This single regulation skews every employment statistic about Charedi society.
The Law That Blocks Charedi Employment
According to Israeli law, a Charedi man of draft age who has not received an official exemption from military service cannot be legally employed.¹ This restriction—originally intended to pressure yeshiva students into enlisting—has had devastating ripple effects:
- Thousands of young Charedi men, many of whom wish to pursue careers, open businesses, or learn trades, are left in a legal limbo.
- Employers are penalized if they hire someone who is not officially exempt.
- Vocational programs and academic tracks become inaccessible, since these men are still considered “draft eligible.”
- And most crucially, this creates a cruel catch-22: Either abandon Torah learning and enlist in the army (something the Gedolim view as spiritually dangerous), or remain “unemployed” by law until age 26.
This artificial barrier distorts economic data and fuels the false narrative that Charedim are “unwilling” to work. In truth, many are simply not allowed to.
The Truth: The Charedi Workforce Is Growing
Despite these obstacles, the Charedi workforce has grown dramatically:
- In 2001, only 37% of Charedi men were employed.
- By 2019, that number rose to 51%,² and
- As of 2024, Charedi male workforce participation stood at 54%.³
While still lower than the general population, this trend shows meaningful, organic growth, despite the State-imposed delays.
Among Charedi women, workforce participation has been consistently high—around 80% in 2023 and 2024—often in education, health, social work, and increasingly, tech.⁴ These women are helping support their homes with dignity and purpose, in line with Torah values.
Importantly, the number of Charedi men with academic degrees has also risen, with a 71% employment rate among those who pursued higher education, despite societal and institutional hurdles.⁵
Torah Learning Is Not “Unemployment”
The foundational flaw in many secular arguments is the assumption that someone not working in a conventional job is “doing nothing.” But in the Charedi world, Torah learning is not unemployment—it is avodas hakodesh, the lifeblood of Klal Yisrael.
While the Rambam criticizes those who casually rely on charity to avoid work,⁶ the Gedolim explain that this refers to someone not truly dedicated to Torah. When Torah is one’s full-time calling—Toraso umnaso—he is fulfilling a sacred role on behalf of the entire Jewish People.
As Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l wrote:
“It is a zechus to support those whose entire life is Torah. Such people uphold the world.”⁷
Everyone Has a Role
No one claims that every single Charedi man must learn forever. Not every young man can, or should. But the current system blocks access to dignified work, and then blames Charedim for it.
If the government truly wanted to promote Chareidi economic participation, the most effective path is obvious:
Remove the age barrier. Let people work.
There is no need for coercion. Torah Jews want to support their families. But they will not do so at the expense of Torah, nor will they compromise their yiras Shamayim for a paycheck.
What the Gedolim Say
Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l was once asked why Charedim don’t all go to work if they’re not learning full time. He answered:
“You think they don’t want to? The laws don’t allow them to. They’re trapped between the army and their conscience.”⁸
Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l said:
“Every Jew has his tafkid. Some learn, some support, some work. But no one should be forced to give up Torah just to make a living.”⁹
Final Thought
This is not about laziness. It’s not about entitlement. And it’s certainly not about economic sabotage.
It is about a legal framework that traps thousands of young men, creates dependence, and then uses those very conditions to blame an entire community. The Charedi world has always produced builders, merchants, craftsmen, educators, and innovators. And it will continue to do so—if allowed.
Let Torah Jews live with dignity. Let them work without spiritual compromise. And let no government policy come between a Jew and his Torah.
Sources & Footnotes
- Israeli Conscription Law, §36 of the Security Service Law, prohibits employment of men without exemption.
- Israel Democracy Institute, “Ultra-Orthodox Employment Trends Report,” 2019.
- Israel Democracy Institute, “Haredi Society in Israel: 2024,” Workforce Report.
- Taub Center, “Labor Market in the Shadow of War,” April 2024.
- Taub Center, “Left Behind: Declining Higher Education Levels Among the Haredim,” 2024.
- Rambam, Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:10.
- Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igros Moshe, Yoreh De’ah, Vol. 4, siman 36.
- Quoted in Mevakshei Torah, 2014 edition, p. 221.
- Rav Chaim Kanievsky, Orchos Yosher, Shaar HaTorah, based on testimony from Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein shlit”a.