rapidly through blending its native born citizens with large numbers of immigrants from a wide range of countries and cultures. As each group’s natural inclination was to remain separate, only the mandatory military service brought everyone together. This remains an important task in shaping a national identity.
Theoretically all young people serve in the military, however, men of the haredi (ultra Orthodox ) community may defer military service while studying in a yeshivah; this has generally meant indefinitely and continues to be a source of great friction and animosity. This system of deferral was originally granted by Ben Gurion for what he understood to be a limited, small group, approximately four hundred men. The deferral now excludes tens of thousands, approximately 50,000, growing from about 7% of the eighteen-year-old cohort ten years ago, to some 14% today, and an anticipated 25% in twelve years. Women who claim a“religious life style” are also exempt from service. Efforts continue to be made to induce participation in military service through a special infantry unit, but with little effect. Similarly, efforts to recruit haredi men to alternative“National Service” have had meager results.
The hesder system has been more successful; it consists of a five year program with one year of religious studies, followed by two years of military service and two years of religious studies with the responsibility for active duty whenever emergencies demand it. This has, however, created a new challenge as shown by the recent debates whether rabbinic edicts supplant military commands, an intolerable situation for any army.’
OBLIGATORY WAR MILHEMET MITZVAH
As the basic nature of the Israeli military forces is defensive, it fits into the classic definition of“mandatory war”(mikhemet mitzvah) performed at the command of the ruler; in our time a prime minister elected and beholden to the knesset. While the halakhic authorities debate this conclusion, most Israelis would agree with this classification although they may have little or no interest in a halakhic defintion.