Q&A: Can Haredim and a Contradiction Go Together?
Can Haredim and a Contradiction Go Together?
Question
The Haredim, in encounter x, like to quote “a thousand to the army and a thousand to the study hall,” and therefore they are exempt from army service…
The Haredim, in encounter y, like to quote that the army is not suitable for Haredim, because who were the soldiers who went out to war and were victorious? Why, they were those who did not even speak between Yishtabach and the blessing over the Shema.
But they never quote both things together…
The conclusion that emerges from the two statements is that the Haredim should send a thousand to the yeshiva and a thousand to the army,
and the secular should generally be exempt.
Is that really so?
Answer
Well, with that kind of pilpul, you won’t get very far. Even good arguments don’t do the job when it comes to Haredim.
Haha