Baba Baruch: "Whoever Does Not Study Torah Must Enlist"
During the Hilula of the Baba Sali, his son Rabbi Baruch Abuhatzeira addressed the Haredi conscription crisis, stating clearly that while Torah scholars should be supported, those who "wander the streets" must join the IDF. He called for dialogue to heal the rifts in Israeli society.
Rabbi Baruch Abuhatzeira, known as the "Baba Baruch," made a significant statement regarding the conscription of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men into the IDF during the memorial anniversary (Hilula) of his father, the Baba Sali.
In an interview with Kikar HaShabbat, the Rabbi drew a clear distinction regarding the draft. "Young men whose 'Torah is their profession' and who sit and study day in and day out, we must help them and grant them an exemption," he stated. "But regarding young men who are [students] in name only, who wander around the streets, there is no choice, they must be drafted. A person who does not study Torah needs to enlist."
He added that those who do study must continue to do so, "bearing the burden in their own way."
Addressing the broader tensions in Israeli society, Baba Baruch called for an end to the internal strife surrounding the issue. "Today, the People of Israel are divided into left and right," he noted. "Hatred is being sown from both extremes, both the secular and the Haredi edges. Why should blood be spilled over the draft? We need dialogue."
The Rabbi also cited biblical precedent, noting that conscription existed "since the time of Moses," and acknowledged the current reality in the military: "Even today, thank God, there are Haredi people in the army, righteous people, good people, who sacrifice themselves for the sanctification of God's name."
Reflecting on the legacy of his father, the Baba Sali, he emphasized the importance of unconditional love. "My father accepted all of Israel... secular, religious, Haredi, Religious Zionist. He helped everyone," he said. "They knew he was genuine, and they knew he loved Israel."
Concluding his remarks, Baba Baruch pointed to the Six-Day War as an example of strength through unity. "In the Six-Day War, there was massive unity. We were few against many, and we won. Why? Unity. But when there is polarization and war between us, the Holy One, Blessed be He, says: 'They are fighting amongst themselves? Then I do not want to help them.'"