"Tel Avivians Don't Serve"

There is a widespread belief that residents of secular Tel Aviv barely serve in the IDF. Obviously this is something that charedim love to talk about. But it’s not limited to charedim; this belief is widely held across the spectrum.

Now, there are several things that are important to keep in mind. First, even if it were to be true, it would not remotely justify the chareidi lack of participation. Second, secular Israelis who don’t serve still strengthen Israel by building up the economy, unlike ...