Beggars. That is now the most common profession in the Charedi world of Torah in Israel. Harsh words? I don’t think so. Not if it’s true.
It is undeniably also true that there is more Torah learning in Charedi Israel then any where on earth… and probably at any time in history. We ought to truly appreciate and praise that accomplishment. It is impressive. Charedim in Israel has a lot to be proud of in that respect. But just as we should not overlook the accomplishments we can neither overlook the economic and demoralizing circumstances which have resulted from it.
New statistics on poverty in Israel show that one in five Israeli wage earners live below the poverty line. Most of those are Israeli Arabs. This means that government subsidies to poor Israelis will not be increased any time soon. And that unfortunately has always been the solution of first resort by the Charedi rabbinic leadership. It has relied heavily upon government subsidies to alleviate their terrible economic circumstances. Without any increase from the Israeli government, ‘begging for dollars’ will have to increase. I have indeed noticed a substantial increase even this year in beggars coming into Shuls with their green authentication cards.
I have in the past discussed the many reasons why there is such a dearth of Charedim in the work force. Some are more valid than others. But one I have not mentioned before is an illegitimate pattern of thinking that has developed. Once you have become accustomed to not working it becomes foreign to you. If you have become so used to the Kollel lifestyle, then an office or any other work place is going to seem like Mars to you!
I am mostly not talking about those who continue to learn B’Hasmada Rabba… that is - with great intensity, piety, and dedication. But even they should eventually think about supporting their families at some point… unless they have the potential for their own Gadlus. Those deserve our full support. But very few qualify for that.
I am talking about those who no longer learn full time. They should be in the workforce. But far too many of them are turning into schnorrers whose livelihood is begging for charity.
Along with all the tremendous credit that leaders in the world of Torah deserve for building the post holocaust the world of Torah, they must also be strongly criticized for creating or at least allowing that same world to have so much poverty.
The Charedi culture is one that survives on handouts from others - a culture of begging for charity. Whether it is through their political representatives in the Knesset begging for subsidies, or as individuals begging from their parents or in-laws …or with green schnorrers cards begging their way through life - going door to door… Shul to Shul. All while having a sense of entitlement. And that makes for one huge Chilul HaShem.
This has diminished the need and the desire to work for a living. Handouts tend to create that kind of mindset. Why work if you don’t have to?
I am not alone in seeing things this way. There are people in the Charedi world who have almost identical views. In fact that is where I got the inspiration for this essay. Almost all the views expressed here are taken from a Charedi thinker. The people who have the ability to change things there ought to listen to him.
