Question

I am a Haredi kollel student. In the past I argued at length about the draft and built various justifications for myself for why I did not enlist. Following the recent events, I am beginning to grasp that my whole perspective on the issue was theoretical and detached, from the point of view of a private individual in an ideal situation—whether it is more exalted to invest one’s time and energy in Torah study or in defending the people. I am beginning to understand that I lack basic foundations in what is called “civics,” and in the understanding that if there is no army, we are all done for, and that if many evade service, there will be no army (and consequently the moral obligation, etc.). I assume that for graduates of the state education system these things are obvious as day, but what can I do—I did not study this and was not educated toward it. Could you recommend how I can make up the missing knowledge in this area? How can I give myself a basic course (if possible—with all the “learning modules”) in civics?