Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, the Slabodka rosh yeshiva, spoke out sharply about the dangers facing the chareidi community in Eretz Yisroel, warning in unequivocal terms: “The army is a melting pot. A bochur who enters the army as a chareidi will not leave as a chareidi.”
The remarks were delivered during a private gathering with several major philanthropists from abroad ahead of a critical fundraising mission to raise $107 million for the Keren Olam HaTorah, which was established last year in response to severe cuts in government funding for yeshivos and kollelim across Eretz Yisroel.
“The army is a dangerous place,” he declared. “There are those who ask if it’s possible to build a truly chareidi unit in the IDF that would protect spiritual standards. But anyone who knows the army today understands that it’s simply not feasible. Netanyahu himself told me, ‘We want a situation where someone who enters the army as a chareidi remains a chareidi.’ But it’s very, very difficult.”
He explained that the IDF was built with the explicit goal of reducing religious identity. “The army was designed as a melting pot to create a ‘new Israeli’—a Jew whose religiosity is diminished. Yes, some in the army today may be well-intentioned and trying to change that. But those efforts are extremely difficult and far from being successful.”
As the group of donors peppered Rav Moshe Hillel with further questions about the campaign, he addressed concerns about why a second fundraising trip is necessary, given that last year’s campaign was described as a one-time effort. “At the time, we truly believed it would be a one-time need. We hoped that by now there would no longer be a necessity. But it turns out, the need is still very real.”
Rav Moshe Hillel also revealed that this new campaign was actually initiated by donors in America, who called him and expressed their desire to hold another drive. “They told me this is a crucial cause and they want to take part. When I heard that, I said—by all means, let’s do it. The need is enormous.”
He added, “We hope this will be the last time… but for now, it must happen.”
The question of how much donors are expected to give was also raised. Rav Moshe Hillel responded, “It depends on the individual’s means. Someone who has more money should give more than a chomesh if they’re able to. But if someone cannot give more than a chomesh, they should not overextend. It’s a personal matter.”
Asked whether individuals should give from their savings, as encouraged by gedolim last year, he answered similarly: “It’s the same answer—it depends on the person and their financial reality.”
One donor suggested that perhaps the existence of the fund has deterred the Israeli government from finding a sustainable funding solution. Rav Moshe Hillel firmly rejected this claim. “Absolutely not. It’s simply not true. The members of Knesset have done everything they could. Even without the money, the problem would remain. If there’s no solution, there will be mandatory army service. The issue isn’t just the money—it’s the draft. That’s the core challenge. And our representatives have worked to resolve it to the best of their ability.”
He continued, “Maybe the government could do more to cut spending, maybe not. But we must do everything we can with what we have.”
In closing, Rav Moshe Hillel bentched the participants warmly: “Anyone who takes part in this campaign isn’t just donating money. You are becoming a partner in the Torah of Eretz Yisroel. It is a tremendous zechus. May everyone who joins us merit siyata diShmaya, and brachos and hatzlacha in both gashmiyus and ruchniyus.”
{Matzav.com Israel}