In this week’s parsha of Bolok we hear about Bilaam’s lauding Am Yisroel as being “am levodod yishkon”. Part of that concept of being “alone in the world” means that Klal Yisroel should be unique and that our uniqueness is that we all act in concert. Why is it that frum yidden, shomrei all mitzvos bh, maaminim bnei maaminim, can ask a question of why do we, establishment Klal Yisroel, value so-called uniforms. Be it yeshivish or chasidish. You wear the uniform, you’re an OK person. Have you ever read an article about youths at a military academy wearing anything else but a uniform, when in school? Our yeshiva bochurim are “in-school” 24 hours a day, immersed in Torah and kedusha. We are Hashem’s army and an army wears uniforms. Bochurim in yeshiva are the elite of Klal Yisroel, and as such should wear uniforms as any military officer would.
