Yehoshua Pfeffer: 'The army is not ready for real Haredi participation'

The Israeli government’s draft of Haredi men is no simple matter—but Yehoshua Pfeffer has some ideas for moving forward. Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer is a Haredi social thinker and activist intimately involved in Haredi affairs. He heads the Iyun Institute—which operates programs and publications in the Haredi space—is the founding editor of Tzarich Iyun journal, and serves on the executive board of Netzah Yehuda, which serves Haredi soldiers in the IDF. While also teaching as a professor at Hebrew University’s law school, he is the rabbi of Ohr Chadash in Ramot Bet, Jerusalem. Yehoshua’s life is guided by his convictions. Now, he joins Sruli Fruchter to answer 18 questions on Israel, including the Haredi draft, Israel as a religious state, Messianism, and so much more. This interview was held on July 2. Here are our 18 questions: As an Israeli, and as a Jew, how are you feeling at this moment in Israeli history? What has been Israel’s greatest success and greatest mistake in its war against Hamas? What do you look for in deciding which Knesset party to vote for? Which is more important for Israel: Judaism or democracy? Should Israel be a religious state? Do you think the State of Israel is part of the final redemption? Is Messianism helpful or harmful to Israel? Should Israel treat its Jewish and non-Jewish citizens the same? Should all Israelis serve in the army? Now that Israel already exists, what is the purpose of Zionism? Is opposing Zionism inherently antisemitic? If you were making the case for Israel, where would you begin? Can questioning the actions of Israel’s government and army — even in the context of this war — be a valid form of love and patriotism? What do you think is the most legitimate criticism leveled against Israel today? Do you think peace between Israelis and Palestinians will happen within your lifetime? Are political and religious divides a major problem in Israeli society? Where do you identify on Israel’s political and religious spectrum, and do you have friends on the “other side”? Do you have more hope or fear for Israel and the Jewish People?