Orthodox in contrast to Khareidim (Haredim), Jerusalem Post
Yirmiyahu Ben-David
"Jonathan Rosenblum's op-ed contribution 'Confessions of a Haredi Dad'
(Friday Dec. 11) unfortunately was a flawed piece of writing because
too much of what was written was insulting to the non-haredi
community. This was especially unfortunate because this piece does in
fact address the central element of the issue.
"The haredi movement is a relatively recent development in our
history. Like the Zionist movement the haredi movement as we know it
today, came about as a response to European enlightenment, modernism
and nationalism. Where as the Zionist movement responded to the
changes in the status of Jews in the modern world with a call for the
establishment of a Jewish State, the Haredi movement called for a
separate existence within an isolated Jewish world. The early
Zionists patterned themselves after the nationalist and often
anti-Semitic movements going on around them. The Haredi response was
similar to the fundamentalist Christian movements that were arising in
reaction to modernism.
"There is no Halachik reason that would prevent a religious Jew from
serving in the IDF. Indeed there are many orthodox Jews who serve
with distinction. Moreover, though Torah study is a very important
activity in Judaism, it has never been deemed to be so important that
it excludes all other activities. Many great Torah scholars earned
their livelihoods practicing medicine, engaging in commerce or mending
shoes. The haredi view of the importance of Torah study to the
exclusion of all other activities is an ideological and not a
religious position. Exclusive Torah study is a mechanism to build and
maintain the haredis' separate Jewish world. Indeed, the Haredi
education system which prepares it students with the ability to do
nothing other than study the Torah is another instrument that it used
to perpetuate the separatist haredi community. An adult who has no
way of earning an income will remain dependent on haredi communal
institutions and will more likely remain within the haredi fold.
"Jonathan Rosenblum expressed the real haredi fear of compulsory
military service in the IDF when he wrote 'haredi parents will not
blithely send their sons into a situation that threatens them with
spiritual destruction.' Discussing the aims of secularists Rosenblum
write, 'Ultimately, the goal is the socialization of the haredim. The
citizen's army envisioned by David Ben-Gurion was explicitly designed
as the most potent instrument for the creation of a homogeneous
national culture.' It is debatable whether this is indeed the goal of
those calling for haredi service in the IDF but there is no doubt that
this is the central objection of the haredi leadership to such
service. It is contrary to the ideological basis of their movement
and it strikes directly at the social adhesive holding the haredi
community together.
"Rosenblum's characterization of the non-haredi community was
distorted and insulting. Perhaps satisfaction can be found by
replying in kind. However, an acceptable resolution of this issue
will not be possible until we realize who we are and what the real
problem is.
"Efraim Perlmutter
"Moshav Sde Nitzan"
As Perlmutter noted, being a backlash to enlightenment (science and
knowledge), modernism and nationalism (i.e., the State of Israel),
Khareidim are, by definition, necessarily anti-science,
anti-knowledge, anti-modern and anti-Israel. Those who claim to be
haredim outside of these core khareidi beliefs (embracing science,
knowledge, modernism and/or Israel) have not only withdrawn
(separated, isolated themselves) from the mainstream Orthodox Jewish
community, but from the core definition of Khareidim as well.
--
Yirmiyahu Ben-David
Paqid 16, Qehilat Ha-Netzarim
(Global Community of Nazarene Jews)
Visit the Netzarim Neighborhood at
http://www.netzarim.co.il
Ground Station: Raanana, Israel
Copyright 1998 by Yirmiyahu Ben-David, all rights reserved
bekus
>As Perlmutter noted, being a backlash to enlightenment (science and
>knowledge), modernism and nationalism (i.e., the State of Israel),
>Khareidim are, by definition, necessarily anti-science,
>anti-knowledge, anti-modern and anti-Israel. Those who claim to be
>haredim outside of these core khareidi beliefs (embracing science,
>knowledge, modernism and/or Israel) have not only withdrawn
>(separated, isolated themselves) from the mainstream Orthodox Jewish
>community, but from the core definition of Khareidim as well.
First, it is interesting to note that Jerry doesn't know what the core
haredi beliefs are. Last time I checked, they were G-d, Torah and
Israel (both Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael).
Second, haredim are a backlash? Talk about revisionist history.
Third, if a haredi has withdrawn (separated, isolated themselves -
brought to you by the dept. of redundancy department) from these
supposed core beliefs (anti-science, anti-knowledge - get this one - ,
anti-modern, and anti-Israel), Jerry would have us believe that he has
withdrawn (separated, isolated themselves - just in case you didn't
get it the first time) from both the haredi community and mainstream
Orthodoxy - does this mean that Orthodoxy is also anti-science,
anti-knowledge, anti-modern and anti-Israel?
Bottom-line: it is interesting to see a heretic slandering a community
(thru the use of third parties), in an effort to defend, albeit
indirectly, himself . . . .
rebtsvi
comedy of this NG. Go celebrate Christmas you phony.
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