Passage of the law removes an obstacle to getting exemption from military service for haredi yeshiva students; The original version included a provision equating status of Torah scholars with IDF soldiers, but it was removed

Shas party leader Arye Deri demanded that the legislation be rapidly advanced, and it is expected to be brought to the Knesset’s plenum for its preliminary reading this week.

Those who see Torah study as essential should acknowledge the unique burden borne by those who leave their lives behind to defend the country, and that yeshiva study is not a…