Ultra-Orthodox soldiers during the War of Independence. Yeshiva students were granted service deferrals "despite the severity of the situation and the need to mobilize all forces."

Ultra-Orthodox soldiers during the War of Independence. Yeshiva students were granted service deferrals “despite the severity of the situation and the need to mobilize all forces.” Credit: Fred Chesnik/IDF & Defense Establishment Archive

‘The son of one mother is killed defending the homeland while the son of another sits safely in his room studying,’ David Ben-Gurion warned. Sixty-five years later, with 63,000 yeshiva students exempt, this question still has no answer