Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave an unusual press conference on Thursday evening in which he addressed the thorny issue of religious people serving in the military.
For 75 years, ultra-Orthodox males have been able to request exemptions if they are studying religion. That has, over time, been a source of resentment among other, secular (or even just regular Orthodox) members of the population, who have shouldered the military burden.
In fact, that resentment helped fuel the protests that, a year ago, sharply divided Israeli society. The secular-religious divide lay behind much of the political rancor.
So when defense minister Yoav Gallant announced earlier this week that Israel needed to start drafting religious people, due to the extreme demands on IDF manpower (and womanpower) during the ongoing war, that created the potential for an explosive domestic political situation, mid-conflict.
But as Netanyahu explained, there is probably enough political will for some kind of compromise. It won't be one that everyone likes: there is no "absolute agreement" except in North Korea, he said. But it will allow the military to continue to function well -- and will resolve the "social gap" in Israeli society.
If that actually comes together, it will be an incredibly positive thing, and one of the most important victories of the war. Perhaps only a war like this could move Israel to confront its internal cultural and religious divisions. But in doing so, Israel faces an opportunity for an incredible, even miraculous, national rebirth.
Just think of it: a year ago, ultra-religious and secular Israelis were arguing in the streets. (Well, it was more like secular people yelling at religious people.) Now, they could be serving together in uniform. People talk about shared suffering in crisis leading to transformation. This time it may really happen.
Today's episode is devoted to the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks. It was produced before the announcement of a ceasefire deal, yet remains current & relevant.
Please listen, and #bringthemhome.
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This week's portion is a beautiful poem, containing the Covenant between God and the people of Israel. But given the breaking news that Hamas may actually have agreed to release all of the Israeli hostages, I will devote my remarks to that.
One hopes it is true; if so, it makes this week's additional reading, from II Samuel 22, even more relevant: David's song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from the hand of his enemies.
"18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support."
So much to focus on this week -- and much breaking news. A peace deal in the Middle East, perhaps? Eric Adams dropping out of the mayor's race? And a looming shutdown as Democrats push their demands beyond absurdity.
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