<div>Marty Bluke quotes R' Aharon Lichtenstein's piece regarding Shevet Levi status for those who exempt themselves from the army based on Torato Umanuto. He adds that it takes 'a tremendous amount of hubris' to assume that one has this status. As I have mentioned in various fora, I think that, with respect, RAL overstates his case in this regard:
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<div>1) If it is true that of a given population only 2% or 5% of it can reasonably expect to be granted that lofty status, it seems ludicrous that an entire Shevet Levi (let us say, 8500 from the ages of 30-50 as per Parshas Naso) is granted exemption because 170-425 members will actually qualify. RAL recognizes that this is a weak point and states that their exemption is 'genealogical'. This fails to solve the problem, though. Why is there a geneaological blanket exemption for an entire Shevet when the reason for the exemption applies so scarcely?
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<div>2) A yet stronger counter-argument to the genealogocial argument is that according to the commentary of the Netziv to Parshas VaYechi, the entire Shevet Yissachar availed themselves of this status to exempt themselves from fighting in the time of the Shoftim. Based on what? Did every single one of them look himself in the mirror and say that they are Kodesh Kodoshim?
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<div>3) One who decided to truly dedicate the best years of his life to Torah study and Mussar refinement, trying to grow in his Yiras Shamayim with no concern for the Cheshbonos of Bnei Adam during that time, is described by Hashem, through the words of the Rambam, as Kodesh Kodoshim. The numbers of Yeshiva boys who are learning seriously should not blind us to their inestimable value and stature in the eyes of the Ribbono Shel Olam.
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<div>4) It doesn't take any hubris whatsoever to follow the opinion of the vast majority, if not all, of Gedolei Torah in the Charedi, as well as many of the Gedolim of the RZ world (i.e. the Roshei Yeshiva of Mercaz Harav, Beit El, and other Yeshivot Gevohot) who support not going to the army for many years after HS and whose students serve in afar reduced capacity than their capabilities vis-a-vis combat. RAL is certainly a minority opinion among Gedolei HaRoshei Yeshivos.
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<div>(Note: This has nothing to do with those who are not fulfilling paragraph 3. I'm talking about the many thousands who do.)</div>
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