B"H
I couldn't believe my eyes this morning when I read an article on YNET stating that the secular Israeli press sends out hatred about haredi society. Especially YNET which is actually one of the most secular papers but still more moderate than Haaretz.
Most articles in the secular press are full of hatred and extremely cynical when it comes to the Jewish Orthodox world. Not only Haredim are being constantly attacked but the national religious as well; let alone the religious settler movement. The latter have been tremendously under attack since Ex - Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decided to disengage Gush Katif. Then the real media hunt after the settlers began.
Today (and then) we know (knew) that this kind of spreading hatred is destructive to our Israeli Jewish society. There is no need for the most secular person in the Tel Aviv area hating his Jewish fellow in the Shomron (Samaria) or elsewhere. The secular media caused a huge Chilul HaShem (desecration of G - d's name) without any limits. The result was that the Gentile foreign press started doing the same. For them, religious Jews are nothing more than ancient garbage and finally they could jump on those Jews by referring to Israeli Jewish sources.
On the other hand, not only many secular are prejudiced towards Haredim - also the Haredim themselves don't cut back their own prejudices towards the non - religious Jewish world.
Today, our great challenge seems to be to reunite these two separate worlds and maybe we shouldn't wait doing so until the Meshiach finally shows up.
However, this morning, I was facing another scene of "hatred" or let's rather call it "misunderstanding":
I was still at the bakery and having a cup of coffee when a young American black hat Yeshiva guy walks in. He bought something and while paying, he emphasized that he is a student in order to get a cheaper price.
Our manager asked him what student he is and the black hat said: "Yeshiva". The manager, on the other hand, made it clear that he wanted to see a student card and additionally asked if he (the black hat) had served in the Israeli army. The black hat said NO but, at the same moment, was offended and felt discriminated.
Obviously the Yeshiva had indoctrinated him that there are strange secular Israelis who always claim that the "lazy" Haredim don't go to the army and are parasites anyway.
Our manager insisted on seeing a student card and the black hat was about to start a discrimination discussion but gave up due to his poor knowledge of Hebrew.
I said to the manager that now the guy is walking out and telling all Haredim how disgusting and bad the secular are. He didn't get the message that the whole fuss was about a student card and not about the army. Nevertheless, the black hat just heard and interpreted what his prejudiced world expected him to do.
Instead of listening carefully and showing up more open minded, many of us just don't acknowledge the other side anymore.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
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"I said to the manager that now the guy is walking out and telling all Haredim how disgusting and bad the secular are."
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading your posts on your site. Thank you for giving the world a glimpse of what EY is like for people here in the states.
However, I felt I had to leave a comment on the above statement you made to the manager. That comment you made is loshon hora. Loshon hora causes sinas chinam among fellow Jews. If we are concerned with sinas chinam among Jews, we have to be dan l'chaf z'chus for all jews. Including that bochur in your post. This will prevent misunderstandings and hatred amongst all Yidden.
B"H
ReplyDeleteI think that your way of interpreting "Lashon HaRah" sounds somehow extreme. The Yeshiva guy was mad and he was prepared telling what happened to his friends.
Despite all the Lashon HaRah ideas, it is important not to loose track of reality.
And to let you have another glimpse of Israeli life: We are quite realistic.
I disagree. We have to be realistic, however, being realistic does not mean judging others without giving them the benefit of the doubt.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, lashon hora is not an idea, unfortunately it is a fact of life we need to eradicate in order there should be unity amongst klal yisroel.
Also, the comment you made about Chassidim in your above article, when you went to the tish of Toldos Avraham Yiitzchak: "Unfortunately, many Chassidim don't use too much deodorant" was a very hateful comment. I suggest you learn shmiras haloshon.
Have a good Shabbos!
B"H
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you up to a certain point but I am not the person running around and want to see the entire world as perfect. Of course, there is a benefit of a doubt but we still have to face certain situations.
Concerning the particular case at the bakery: None of the people in the shop had a doubt that the Yeshiva guy would tell all of his friends. Twice he started arguing with the manager and couldn't do it as much as he wanted due to language problems. I am sure that outside he blew up.
Concerning Avraham Yitzchak or basically many Haredim:
It looks like you are just counting Lashon HaRah or not Lashon HaRah but don't concentrate on the positive things I mention.
One can exaggerate the whole subject, as one of my Rabbis always says. He knows a woman who had a Shidduch and no one ever told her before that the guy she was dating is a mental case.
They got married and the guy beat her half dead. When she got divorced and asked his friends why they never told her they said that this would have been Lashon HaRah.
There are times when people have to speak out and I don't hide society problems and only tell wishful thinking or dream world stuff.