Recent discussions have addressed claims within the Haredi community that yeshiva students should be exempt from military service by likening themselves to the Tribe of Levi, who were traditionally devoted to spiritual service and Torah study. However, historical and rabbinic sources indicate that members of the Tribe of Levi, including Kohanim, actively participated in Israel's wars, often serving both in spiritual and combat roles. Prominent figures such as Benaiah son of Yehoiada exemplified the combination of military leadership and Torah scholarship, demonstrating that religious devotion did not preclude military service.

Many rabbinic authorities assert that the obligation to participate in obligatory wars applied to all, including the Levites and Kohanim, and that exemptions based on spiritual dedication are not supported by the broader tradition. Furthermore, the argument that any individual can assume the status of the Tribe of Levi through Torah study is challenged by the requirement for complete and exclusive dedication, a standard not met by most. The article concludes that the basis for exempting yeshiva students from military service on these grounds is flawed, and promises further discussion on the topic in a future column.