There was a sharp rise in the number of haredis serving in the IDF or doing some form of national service in 2009 compared to the previous year, according to data gathered and released last week by Hiddush, an initiative pushing for religious pluralism.
Approximately 2,000 yeshiva students served in the IDF or in national service in 2009, compared to just 300 to 400 in 2008, according to data from various sources.
The vast majority of ultra-Orthodox men who choose to enlist in the IDF or do national service are over the age of 25. Most are married and have children.
Hiddush said that the sharp rise was a result of the implementation of the Tal law. The Barak administration established the Tal Committee in 1999 to resolve problems resulting from draft exemptions for yeshiva students.
The law allows yeshiva students over age 22 to take a year off from their studies, usually to work. At the end of the year, the students must choose between returning to full-time studies or completing abbreviated national service. — jpost.com