Channel 13 reports that elements associated with the Peleg Yerushalmi have been exploring the possibility of yet another Haredi political party formed with several leading figures unsatisfied with the “mainstream” parties — one that would take an even more uncompromising position against military service. The name it has taken is “Code Black” (Tzeva Shachor) from the network they developed to alert supporters when military police attempt to arrest Haredi draft evaders. Demonstrators are then dispatched to obstruct the arrest.

At almost the same moment, a very different Haredi political movement has begun taking shape around Moti Leitner, deputy mayor of Beit Shemesh. Leitner argues that genuine full-time Torah learners must be protected, but that the great majority of Haredi men should serve in the military or perform meaningful national service. He speaks openly about teaching mathematics and English, preparing young people to earn a dignified living, representing working Chareidim, and helping Chareidi olim find their place in Israeli society.

These are not merely two competing political organizations. They represent two very different possible futures for the Haredi community.

I know which one I hope will succeed.

I say this as someone who is completely committed to Torah and who has spent most of his adult life teaching it. I am primarily a product of Haredi Yeshivos and virtually all of my family identifies as Haredi. I served for approximately 20 years as a congregational rabbi in the United States before returning with my wife to live in Israel nearly eight years ago. The Torah world that formed me was shaped by Gedolim such as Rav Moshe Feinstein, Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky, Rav Joseph Breuer, and Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ob”m.

That world believed passionately in Torah learning. But it did not teach us that working honestly to support one’s family made a person a second-class Jew. It did not teach that being a good........

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