Moving to Israel

Ehud Barak’s abrupt ousting of the Samaria located Har Bracha Yeshiva from the Hesder (combined IDF and Torah study) program has been headline news in Israel for a week. He claimed that statements made by the Yeshiva “shake the foundations of Israeli democracy and encourage mutiny…and that there is no place for such behavior in a democratic country” and has, therefore, led the public to believe that Zionist rabbis, those heading Yeshivas that send their students to become officers and combat soldiers,  endanger the future of the army. These are very serious - and some would say libelous - charges brought against some of our leading rabbis and the Hesder community itself.

This is why I want to publicize the response given by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, head of the Yeshiva. His response is thoroughly thought out and well written and is a must read for everyone with an interest in Israel and its well being. With many slanderous accusations being lobbied at the religious community through the years (especially regarding the army) it is good to see someone stand up in their defense and challenge some of the authors of these libels.

May Hashem make the truth come out and keep our country protected.

Ari