Being among themselves

B"H

Every society group has its preferences. Scientist like to talk to other scientists about their specific issues; sportsmen like to talk to other sportsmen; Americans like to talk to Americans and Haredim like to talk to Haredim.

However, this doesn't mean that none of them doesn't communicate with other people; but many times you really prefer being among people like you. Then you can communicate without justifying yourself or explain thousands of things. Or in other words, you enjoy the same kind of language, topics, humour, etc.

My active participation in haredi society was not too long. Only two years or so. Still I have to admit that I hardly ever lost touch and I also studied at their courses. I once even worked for a company owned by Chassidut Gur.

Even if you are a newcomer, as soon as you seriously participate in programs, go to their synagogues and make friends, you change. Especially your language. While talking to Haredim, you could never use a kind of street language or something more slangy or open. This is totally out of place and people would be offended. To learn all the tiny bits and pieces, it takes a longer time and therefore it is important to study in their programs.

The only problem is that once you know the mentality, language, kind of humour and religious issues concerning the haredi world, the outside world seems more and more less important to you.
Of course, you are interested but you automatically concentrate on finding more haredi friends because only with them you are able to discuss certain issues. What does a national religious know about this kind of world ? Mostly not too much. Let alone the secular.

I am glad that I started going back to acquaintances in Mea Shearim. I like talking to the other guests and meet all kinds of different people. The host family very much emphasizes on inviting people from their own society. They seem to be a kind of sick of certain negative remarks. If they mention a Zaddik or Torah commentator (like the Chatam Sofer last Shabbat), they expect the guests to know them. To me, it is a real pleasure being back in such a society where I don't have to explain every detail and then face people who got the whole concept wrong.

Maybe you can compare the whole situation with Jews being among Jews. Sometimes you really feel like being among Jews. And it doesn't matter if you are religious or secular, reform or conservative. There is just an inner demand for being among Jews.
I am sure that every Jew now knows exactly what I am talking about. Maybe other people from other religions feel the same about themselves.