Three Haredim took Israeli army girls to Ge'ulah and Beit Warsha

B"H 

The Pashkevil expresses its anger about three haredi looking guys showing a group of Israeli army girls around in haredi Ge'ula and Beit Warsha (Jerusalem). The tour took place in the afternoon hours this Monday. 

Further it says that the inhabitants were shocked seeing haredi guys touring with army girls and thus, the inhabitants raised there voices at the group. 

If the three were members of the "Nachal HaHaredi - Haredi Army Unit (today mostly occupied by national religious soldiers) and if so, is this what serving in the Zionist army brings about. Associating with girls and taking them on tours through haredi neighbourhoods ?

I just hope that the girl's unit got a detailed lecture before the tour, as otherwise they would never understand haredi life in Ge'ulah let alone in Beit Warsha. It is terrible when tour guides, in this case even Haredim, take others with no haredi background into such neighbourhoods in order to explain haredi life. The matter is too complicated, takes a long time and cannot be explained by going on a tour. The kind of knowledge handed over is too artificial.

Haredim swear to serve the State of Israel

B"H

Look at these pictures and show them around wherever you are. Especially in the US ! No matter if in Lakewood, Crown Heights or Williamsburgh. I would love to see the surprised faces of American Yeshiva guys.

Last week, approx. 170 new soldiers at the NACHAL HAHAREDI (haredi unit of the Israeli army IDF) were sworn in. Among those soldiers are quite a few Chabadnikkim.
The celebration took place at the Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem.





A video can be watched here:
http://www.col.org.il/show_news.rtx?artID=47561


Link:

NACHAL HAHAREDI

Who says Haredim don't join the Army ?

B"H

Who says Haredim don't join the Army ?

Source: Chadrei HaCharedim


Link:

Nachal HaCharedi (Haredim in the Israeli Army)

And where were "You" ? - Haredi Society and the War

B"H

In times of war, it becomes much more obvious to everyone. To secular Jews as well as to haredi society itself: Haredi men study in Yeshivot (religious institutions) and don't go to the army.

Actually I am not too keen on writing or commenting on the subject why Haredim don't go to the army and why some do. First of all, it doesn't change anything in reality and secondly, some people could use my reports in a negative sense. Pointing their fingers at the Haredim and say: "Look, they are lazy and just hang around the whole day !" People making that claim should know that no one in Israel discussed this subject during the last war in Gaza.

Today, we have the "Chok Tal - the Tal Law" in Israel. It stipulates that male Haredim who are enrolled in a Yeshiva, don't have to join the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Usually young men serve for three and women for two years in the army. Those who refuse have to go to jail.

National religious girls do a social service instead called "Sherut Le'umit". Their haredi counterparts often marry at the age of 18 - 20 and whoever is married, doesn't have to join the army anymore. Men likewise.

"Sherut Le'umit" is organized by several Israeli institutions and the girls have the choice. Sometimes the service lasts longer and sometimes the opposite is the case.

While the Israeli population has been extremely concerned about the well - being of its soldiers, haredi populations seems to be somewhere outside. Should Haredim show their solidarity and if so, how ? Especially Haredim seem to ask why things are happening and for what reason. They like to analyze and the question was, how they should behave and deal with the war in Gaza.

Countless litvish - haredi Yeshivot organized additional Torah studies and prayers for the soldiers. There is no doubt, lots of solidarity was shown and those who don't believe it can simple have a look into the haredi forum world.

On the other hand - how do Haredim deal with the war ? How does it effect them internally ?

Chabad and Breslov are known to be everywhere; mostly at the front. They usually help soldiers putting on Tefillin and there actually was a campaign run by ALL kinds of Haredim. Zizit were donated for the soldiers going to the front line. Those soldiers joining were afraid and asked themselves if they ever come back safe and sound. So, the Zizit also served as a private emotional protection shield.

Last week, a colleague of mine told me a certain war story. She emphazised that everything is true and really took place this way. A day later, I read the ame story in a secular Israeli newspaper mentioned in an article about Haredim and the war in Gaza.
The story goes that a group of soldiers was about to enter a house in Gaza in order to search for terrorists. Before they could enter, suddenly a woman dressed in white appeared and warned the soldiers not to enter the house. It was a trap.
The soldiers went to the next house and the same women re - appeared. She made the same claim and the soldiers began to wonder who this woman was. "Rachel Imenu - Your mother Rachel (biblical Yaakov's wife)", she responded.

Haredi society loves to quote and see miracles in everything. G - d gives us a sign and actually does interfere to our very best. At the same time, society never seems to get tired of investigating why this and that is happening to us. Does everything only happen without any reason because it appears to be so rational ?
No, as G - d rules about everything. It is Him making ALL decisions and not us. But why does He go against us Jews ? Why is there Good and Evil in this world ? Why do Israeli soldiers die and the Hamas rejoices ? Shouldn’t it be the other way around ?

When G - d created this world, He enabled us having our "Free Will". And in order to have Free Will, we need Good and Evil in this world; otherwise there wouldn't be a choice. Evil is going to exist until Meshiach comes and then it will be "slaughtered" (in a symbolic sense).

In Judaism, and our own history proves it, we follow the concept that if the Jews move further away from G - d and don't keep the Torah Mitzwot, G - d is punishing us. And here we have found the reason of how haredi society argues: More and more Jews are becoming secular or marry a non - Jewish spouse. The result is that G - d is punishing us for our misbehaviour. A collective punishment (e.g. Diaspora). In case someone doesn't keep Shabbat, he doesn't only effect himself but the entire Jewish nation.

Many Haredi argue that G - d is sending us all those hostile nations in order to do Teshuva (repentance). Find our way back to G - d and He will help us; send the Meshiach. But as long as we follow our evil ways, the nations are going to pick on us and force us into wars. This exactly is the reason why there is evil in the world. Our task is to overcome it and thus bring Meshiach.

And now, our corrupt government, once again, made an agreement with the nations. The government decided for a cease fire or in other words "gave up". How does our interpretation now look ?
Again, we or better, the government, didn't trust in G - d but relies on the nations. Instead of using our own strength, Israel gave in.

It looks like Meshiach has still a long way to go.
_________________

Speaking about myself, I am not too much into all those predictions of why things happen this or that way. In fact, only G - d decides and it is Him who knows all reasons, and we shouldn't get lost in too many unnecessary speculations.

A statistic:
In the 50ies, when the former prime minister David Ben Gurion agreed to free the Haredim from the arme service, there were only 400 Haredim. Today we have 35.000 not joining the army.

Today we also have quite a few Haredim who do joing the army (in the special unit Nachal HaCharedi). Those who refuse are often afraid of going against their own society and thus facing disadvantages by the rabbis and society as a whole.

Claims against Haredim

B"H

Countless prejudices regarding Israeli Haredim are floating around. Not only in our country but also abroad. And sometimes I am really getting the impression that Diaspora Jews talk like they know our country much better than we Israelis do.:-)
At least, according to some comments from abroad.

What are the most common prejudices against Israeli haredi society ?

1. They don't go to the army.
Right, but you need to learn how to differentiate. It depends on the group and many other things. However, quite a few people do join the army (Nachal haCharedi).

2. They live in ghettos.
Sometimes, as they try to protect themselves.

3. They are being supported by the money of the tax payers and they themselves won't work.

4. They are all anti - Zionists.
It depends who.

5. They all want to force anyone else to keep the Torah.
It depends how the outside world understands it.

6. Their women are uneducated.
Depends on what your understanding of education is.

7. If no one else behaves as the Haredim want, they just beat people up or force them othewise.

Within the past few years, claims about haredi violence have been on the rise. Secular, national religious or even litvishe women, for instance, who claim that they got either yelled at or really physically attacked on public buses or elsewhere.

I am not denying that some cases may be true and if so, it is a horrible thing. Nevertheless, as soon as we hear about such claims we still need to be very careful. Especially today, many other society groups (secular or national religious) seem to hold a grudge for certain parts of haredi society. I spoke to some Haredim and asked about the reason such people might have. To be honest, I didn't get an answer. It sounds just like haredi society isn't too interested in the subject. Okay, there are people from the outside spreading rumours, so what ? Or to say it in Hebrew:
"Stam Shtuyiot - Just Nonsense".

The recent incident in Beit Shemesh has been discussed in many national religious and anti - religious blogs. Young people were attacked by some Jerusalem Chassidim (wearing golden coats on Shabbat). The blog world seems to jump on this particular incident. Anyway, I spoke to some Haredim from Beit Shemesh and they haven't heard about anything. No one was attacked lately.

You may argue that these Haredim lie but why should they ? In order to protect society ? Let me tell you there is not much more for a male Haredi than the latest gossip in society. Just look into Israeli haredi forums; and this particular attack hasn't been discussed once. In fact, the Haredim don't know about it.
This doesn't need to mean that the person being attacked lies; however, it does mean that blog readers or the public as a whole have to be very careful and if necessary, should further investigate. Not every attack reported to the press really took place.

So, what is the reason for such false accusations ? Specific groups have an interest in giving the Haredim a bad reputation ?
One Haredi told to me that those claims cause Meshiach not to come. Not only such behaviour but parts of it.

There is some truth in it although very much on both sides. Years ago, I was trying to be a Haredi myself and when I decided to leave, I had neither faced any violence nor was I pushed. My case was different anyway, as I wasn't born into society and thus people do have more patience than with someone born right into it.
What I remember very well is that especially the Haredim (at least most of them I knew then) supported me much more than any other Jewish society. And this, on the other hand, caused me always to come back into society. Even as a visitor or as someone supporting haredi ideas without being vey much haredi myself.

It goes without saying that there are violent groups within haredi society but, nevertheless, each case should be looked at carefully and individually, as sometimes the circumstances are much more complicated. Furthermore, other outsiders try to take advantage of the whole new "scandal" (if there is one) and thus put more and more fuel into the conflict.

Are Young Yeshiva Students Traitors ?

B"H

Almost every Erev Shabbat we face the same scene at Rabbi Mordechai Machlises house. The Rabbi enjoys to invite as many people for Shabbat as he can and if you are in Jerusalem, you should definitely go to his place. What you should not do is expecting a quiet Shabbat dinner with good manners. Rather prepare yourself for a few loonies and also some "normal" guests. In other words, prepare yourself for everything. However, the Rabbi's hospitality is unbelievable and people usually have a great unforgettable time.

I am not sure if I belong to the loony or the normal group of people. Some might claim that in order to live in Jerusalem, one has to be out of his mind. What I do admit is that I am one of the regulars at Rabbi Machlise's Shabbat table and so are others.

My friend and I thought about either making a movie about the meals in the Machlis home or, at least putting everything on Youtube. Unfortunately, this is all impossible on Shabbat.

One character showing up almost every Friday night is an American guy called Michael. You can imagine Michael as the "prefect" Zionist. Well, as a fundamentalist Zionist and only last week I had a wild discussion with him about the talmudic reasons against a State of Israel. Of course, none of these three oaths apply anymore today. Not according to Michael.

The real show only begins when Michael gets up to make a speech in front of everybody.
Anybody is allowed to make a speech at the Rabbi's but somehow the context should be in the atmosphere of Shabbat. For Michael it is absolutely in this kind of atmosphere calling Yeshiva students a kind of traitor because they do not go to the army. The Rabbi's living room is usually crowded with mostly young American Yeshiva students (Aish HaTorah and Ohr Sameach) and Michael starts telling them no to listen to their rabbis and rather go to the army.
Not to forget to mention, Michael is totally religious. Well, more or less.

The Yeshiva guys just sit quietly and stare at the speaker; the rabbi, on the other hand, calls him to stop his speech.
The question, however, is, if there is not a little truth in what Michael has to say ? He definitely says it in an offensive way but, nevertheless, I do sometimes think that he is right.

Israel is a country which always has to defend itself and does need good soldiers. Especially the national religious and even the haredi population (Nachal HaCharedi) have shown that they belong to the best soldiers the army has. Those of us who are not anti - Zionists and recognize the current State of Israel should also be prepared to fight for it.

One might claim that there are not only physical but also spiritual wars and that Israel also needs a "spiritual army". This is true but just look at the times of King David where religious people joined his army without asking questions or start quarreling.

Michael expresses his opinions in a violent pushy way but even his thoughts are worth of deeper thought. Joining the army does not necessarily mean giving up a religious life. The Israeli army has plenty of religious units.

The latest rather unusual case was that a Chassid from Toldot Aharon went to the Nachal HaCharedi. Not only him but many Haredim start doing so.

Obviously everybody expected the Toldot Aharon Rebbe to kick out the new "soldier" but instead he told the other members to be quiet. It goes without saying that this Chassid as well as other Haredim probably do face Shidduch difficulties. Nevertheless, going somewhere else and having new experiences does help in many cases to become even more religious.

If anyone of you is interested in seeing Michael's show should come to the Machlise's on Erev Shabbat.