Rabbi Moshe Maya, the head of the Shas Council of Torah Sages, issued a statement on Tuesday, clarifying that Shas has not abandoned efforts to reach an agreement on the conscription law ahead of the Knesset's vote on its dissolution.

This comes after Rabbi Maya signed a letter on Monday opposing the conscription of any haredi individual, even those not studying in a yeshiva.

"I have refrained from expressing an opinion on the conscription law in recent months due to the sensitivity of the issue. Now, as public representatives convene to discuss this crucial and decisive matter, we will address it once it reaches the implementation stage. A final decision will be made at the Council of Torah Sages meeting," Rabbi Maya explained, underscoring that no final decision has been made regarding either the dissolution of the Knesset or the conscription law.

On Monday, Rabbi Maya added his signature to a letter drafted by Rabbi Moshe Tzedaka. The letter was also signed by Rabbi Shlomo Machpud, another Council member. In the letter, Rabbi Tzedaka wrote: "Since the honor of the Torah has been trampled upon, and the heads of the government have resolved to oppose any deferral law that does not include quotas or targets, they seek to prey upon the weak, like Amalek. Their intention is to send those who do not study to the army, causing them to forsake Torah observance and mitzvot, and, heaven forbid, desecrating God's name."

Rabbi Moshe Tzedaka and Jews pray as they mourn at the Seventeenth of Tammuz fast day at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on July 23, 2024. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Rabbi Moshe Tzedaka and Jews pray as they mourn at the Seventeenth of Tammuz fast day at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem on July 23, 2024. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
Rabbi Tzedaka continued, stating: "It is our duty to uphold the religion and unequivocally declare that the prohibition against conscription applies to every Torah-observant Jew, including those in so-called 'haredi tracks,' because the army inevitably leads to corruption, degradation, and grave transgressions of the Torah."

Rabbi Tzedaka says it is forbidden to support any law that includes conscription targets

Rabbi Tzedaka urged Rabbi Maya and Rabbi Machpud to join him in instructing the public that, according to the sacred Torah, it is absolutely forbidden to agree to or promote any law that includes conscription targets.

He emphasized: "It is forbidden to compromise on even a single soul, even if they are not engaged in Torah study or in so-called 'haredi tracks.' The sanctity of the Torah and its observance are the true protection of Israel above all else."