What Modesty is, and What it Isn't

Alex Fleksher (Times of Israel)

I always enjoy Alex Fleksher’s columns. Even when I don't agree with her. Which is rare. Last week’s column in Mishpacha Magazine is yet another one I agree with.

Alex took an insightful look into what Tznius actually means via an article in the Wall Street Journal (...behind a paywall. You must subscribe to read it). In that article it was noted that there is a culture among Orthodox Jews that mimics the famous cliché – ‘Keeping up with the Joneses’. I call it ‘Keeping up with the Katz’s and Cohens’.

She is not the first one to point out the current state of affairs among Jews living in 21^st century America. We now enjoy an unprecedented level of acceptance. But this blessing is really  a double edged sword. On the one hand it has given us unprecedented freedom to practice Judaism in any way we wish. And it has allowed Jews to access all manner of universities, professions, jobs, and clubs. With the full benefit of the great bounty this country is blessed with.

On the other hand for far too many of us - it has also hastened our assimilation out of Judaism. We are so accepted that not only may Jews marry non Jews, Jewish men are considered a prize catch! Jews and Judaism are celebrated in this country. So accepted are we, that we can now marry into the American version of royalty to the virtual adoration by the American mainstream.  As was the case when Chelsea Clinton married Marc Mezvinsky in  a ceremony filled with Jewish symbolism. 

Another  thing all this freedom has generated for the Jewish people is unprecedented wealth.We are now more attached to material goods than our ancestors ever were. In part because there is so much more ‘material’ available to consumers now. And now more than ever we now have the means to enjoy it.

Even Jews of relatively modest means live by a much higher material standard than their ancestors did as a whole. Even if only because of modern technology. A negative offshoot of that is the above mentioned  ‘Keeping up with the Katz’s and Cohens’. Too many of us are caught up in trying to keep up with our wealthier neighbors even if we can’t afford it. Whereas out grandparents and great grandparents in Europe were happy to just put food on the table and a roof over their heads – today we are bombarded with all manner advertisements for material goods that wealthier Jews can easily afford but most of Orthodox Jewry can’t. Too many of us still try - which for them ends up living in constant credit card debt.

The phenomenon of ‘Keeping up with the Katz’s and Cohens’is manna from heaven to companies competing for Orthodox dollars. In some cases enticing Orthodox Jews into spending money on luxury items they can’t afford. It has created a climate of unprecedented consumerism among even the most religious Jews. And now we have a new phenomenon called ‘Modesty Blogging’ where ‘some Orthodox women have recently taken to the seemingly “kosher” outlet of fashion blogging’. But they are far from actually being modest. Not to mention the ‘immodest’ cost of some of the consumer goods these blogs comment on. Here are some excerpts from Alex's column:

(The WSJ) argues that “although the [Orthodox] bloggers ostensibly try to advance principles of modesty, it isn’t always clear whether their material is consistent with the spirit of Jewish law,” and that “the entire emphasis seems to be on the exterior without considering what else modesty means.” It continues: 

From a traditional Jewish perspective, the notion of modesty extends to both sexes, and far beyond the technicalities of skin exposure. Micah the prophet established the principle that G-d requires of mankind to hatznea lechet, or walk humbly before the L-rd. Moses is lauded in biblical texts as the humblest man on earth. 

Rabbi Goldberg explains that there is a difference between being attracting and attractive, and that it is problematic to follow the letter of the law in clothing lengths without adhering to the spirit of the law regarding modesty in dress. Essential, Torah-true concepts that have now seen the light of day on the pages of a secular newspaper. So rather than criticizing our laws, the Wall Street Journal perhaps gives us an opportunity to ponder how we follow our laws, whether our meticulous observance is having the intended spiritual effects. 

 The WSJ concludes with the following: 

Halakha, Hebrew for Jewish law, directly translates as “walking.” The name serves as a reminder that Judaism isn’t merely a legal code but an all-encompassing lifestyle. While Judaism doesn’t mandate austerity or self-abnegation, its focus — at least according to the rabbis — ultimately is on the depth of the soul. If Halakha is to be met, modesty blogging might require more soul-searching and fewer brand names.  

Should it take a secular newspaper to give us Musser about what Modesty really means? I really think we need a little self examination about what motivates our consumerism these days. The prophet Micah tells us (6:8): Hatznei Leches - Walk modestly with God. This applies to everyone. Rich and poor alike. Where to draw the line and who should draw it where - is the question. A little introspection about what our values are, and what they should be might very well be in order for us all.

That said, there is another side to this issue. One that argues against the corrupt interpretation of Hatznei Leches is that is found in the very magazine that Alex now writes for. And others like it. 

It is in their refusal to publish pictures of women. I’m sure they would disagree with me and say the opposite. That it is not corrupt. And that their policy is just a stricter interpretation of that principle with respect to seeing pictures of women.

All of the columnists in Mishpacha have their picture published at the top of their column . Except for Alex. No picture of her to be found anywhere.

Now one might say that knowing what Alex looks like is not important. That might be true. But then why is it important to know what Moshe Grylak, Jonathan Rosenblum, Eitan Kobre, Aryeh Zev Ginsberg, and every other male columnist in Mishpacha looks like? Obviously the magazine’s editors and publishers feel there is a value to publishing the picture of the columnist on the pages of their column.

The argument that they just want to be sensitive to those who claim pictures of women are immodest might be true. But claiming that there is any real Halachic issue with that is at best a stretch and more likely a gross misrepresentation of Hatznei Leches.  Implying that this is how more religious Jews observe Tzne Haleches - is belied by many published pictures of some of the most Charedi women in all of Orthodoxy. Which can be found on a website called, Frum Women Have Faces.  

I will end with one of the more pertinent quotes on the subject there by Rabbi Yitzchak Breitowitz,, senior lecturer at Ohr Somayach in Jerusalem who said it better than I ever could: 

"In the vidui of Rabbeinu Nissim, the penitent begs forgiveness for a variety of transgressions, among them is, "What You declared pure I deemed unclean... what You have declared permitted I deemed forbidden." Erasing women from photographs or blurring their faces even if  they are modestly dressed has not been  the practice in klal yisrael, and to take on a stringency over and beyond anything required by gedolai yisrael is not only arrogant and pretentious but profoundly offensive and demeaning  to women as a whole. A chumra  beyond normative halacha ceases to be legitimate at the point that it violates basic kavod habriyot. Moreover, the very highlighting of women as the "other " who must be eliminated is in itself counter to the norms of tzniyut and can itself trigger the evils it was supposedly designed to alleviate."

Stereotyping Jews – How Much of it is Our Own Fault?

A Chasidic man in an Orthodox Brooklyn neighborhood (NY Daily News)

Chilul HaShem should be one of the most important things any Jew thinks about when in public. No matter what the circumstance. It a biblical level law that is in this week’s Parsha of Emor (Vayikra – 22:32): And you shall not desecrate My Holy name; and I shall be sanctified in the midst of the Children of Israel. 

This Halacha is so important, that one is supposed to give up their lives before violating it.

I try to think of that and to my own great dismay and regret after the fact, I sometimes I fail. I wonder though how many of us don’t think about it at all. And how much damage is done because of that. 

I want to be clear. I don’t think people go out of their way to make a Chilul HaShem. That would be pure evil. But I do think that being self-centered is most often the primary cause. When  an identifiably religious Jew thinks only of himself in the public arena, it will often inevitably lead to a Chilul HaShem. Our behavior in public is not ignored – whether that behavior is good or bad.  

When it is good, then the opposite is true. It ends up as a Kiddush HaShem –sanctifying God. There have been many stories like that. Some of them reported here.  Unfortunately I think there are more of the former than the latter. No where is this better illustrated than in an article in the New York Daily News written by Eli Reiter, a Chasdic Jew. He talks about the prejudice he encounters every day in New York City. Here is an excerpt: 

It’s not surprising. As a member of that community who has ventured to places around New York that we don’t often occupy, I am often forced to answer for my people with biased allegations. I’m a guest in their environment, a minority visitor, and people seem to believe they have the license to approach me with abhorrent claims. To them, I can always return to Williamsburg or wherever they think I come from.

Once, I was standing in a West Village bar and a friend’s husband cornered me, handing me a beer he bought me.

“Let me ask you this. A year ago, a Hasidic man in a van side-swiped me and drove off. What do you think about that?”

To me, the most obvious visual parts of my identity are of least import; to him, they seemed to be all that mattered.

These were ostensibly liberal New Yorkers who were — at least in theory — sensitive to vulnerable populations, citizens who have it far worse than me. They see my straggly beard and messy white shirt as an invitation to approach with complaints about my people, as I’m viewed as someone without agency, free will, or any sense of individualism…

At another bar, recently, I had a similar run in with a tale of a hit-and-run. A middle-aged couple asked me to defend a Hasidic driver’s rudeness after a fender bender on a late Friday afternoon close to sundown. I apologized and downed half a Guinness in disgust, dropping a huge tip for my beer to counter the stereotype that we’re bad tippers. 

While some of the other incidents he described were various different forms of prejudice, it is clear that at least in the two cases involving automobile accidents, that it was the actual bad behavior they experienced from obviously observant Jews that generated their comments. It shoud not be too surprising that we are all painted with the same broad brush when a personal experience corroborates a stereotype associated with us.

And it is the religious Jew that is at fault. Not the secular Jew who looks no different than the non Jew. There would have been no reason to assume that a hit and run driver was necessarily Jewish unless he had some identifying characteristic.  Like wearing a Kipa, or having a long beard and Peyos. When bad behavior is done by an obviously religious Jew, that makes it a Chilul HaShem.

It is not that I am excusing antisemitic behavior or even negative stereotyping. I am only suggesting that when we misbehave in public, it fuels the negative stereotype and reinforces the pre-existing prejudice. Which is why I believe that Eli couldn't properly respond in those instances.

As bad as it is when we reinforce negative stereotypes about us to prejudiced non Jews, it is even  worse is when secular Jews are the ones experiencing it. Instead of inspiring them, we make ‘Jewish antisemites’ out of them. They will end up repeating all the negative stereotypes - only they apply them to religious Jews instead of all Jews. That’s why in a post last Thursday the behavior I described (of the observant Jews in their Shul towards a woman that was not observant) was so bad. Not only was a self centered Chilul HaShem, it was a lost opportunity to turn things around.

I know too many people that are like this. They could not care less about the world outside of their own. Their attitude is they are going to hate us no matter what we do, so why should we care how they see us?! Might as well ignore them. They believe that what these others think about them is irrelevant and instead they believe in focusing completely on elevating their own spirituality. They are oblivious to the fact that they might be causing a Chilul HaShem which does the opposite of elevating their spirituality. 

That attitude contributes mightily to how people see us. Making it far more difficult to defend against the negative stereotype illustrated and experienced by Eli. It’s almost impossible to counter it by saying ‘We aren’t all like that!’ Or by saying ‘There are people in all segments of society that behave this way, Orthodox Jews are not immune form it.’

While that is certainly true, that isn’t going to change the hearts and minds of people that had those  excerpted experiences.  The only way to even hope to counter a negative stereotype is to make sure that our public behavior is exactly the opposite of what happened there. If you get into an accident, stop. Don’t flee. And if you do stop, don’t come out of your car angry - blaming the other guy. Get out of your car and ask if anyone is hurt. And if it IS your fault, ADMIT IT! That will go a long way towards changing how we are seen by others, whether they are secular Jews or non Jews. That is what making a Kiddush HaShem is all about.

Guilty! - A Teachable Moment

Bill Cosby's TV family - the Huxtables

‘I brought you into this world, I can take you out!’ With those words Bill Cosby became an icon, ‘America’s dad’, if you will. That is the nickname he achieved with his ground breaking situation comedy, The Cosby Show. That comment was made in the pilot episode.

The Cosby Show was one of the most watched comedy series in television history. And for good reason. It broke the negative stereotype many people had of black people. Although the Civil Rights Era had begun the process in the 60s, black families had nonetheless continued to be portrayed mostly as impoverished uneducated  slum dwellers, with their men being jobless; or drug dealers;  women as single mothers unable to impart wholesome middle class values to their children; and black adolescents were often portrayed as vicious gang members... and not much else.

Unfortunately the 1964 Civil Rights Act did not undo that stereotype. It took Bill Cosby to do that. His show portrayed an upper middle class black family where the father, Heathcliff Huxtable, was a successful doctor (an Ob/Gyn) and the mother was a successful high-powered attorney. The family was a loving one that lived in an upscale neighborhood; had wholesome middle class family values; and placed a high value on education. All of which they instilled in their children.

Not only that, but the family established itself as the standard for good parenting.  The opening line of this post was in response to his son Theo’s laziness about school. When confronted by his father about it Theo said something to the effect of ‘Can’t you just love me for who I am? Instead of the expected response of ‘Of course I do’, Cosby retorted sternly about the importance of a good education emphasizing his stern approach with the above quote. His ‘no nonsense’ attitude about education and the many seasons portraying a black family with wholesome family values forever changed to negative stereotype to a positive one.

Cosby’s private life seemed to be no different. He was a staunch advocate for a good education, self sacrifice, and a strong work ethic… and criticized many black civil rights leaders for not emphasizing those things enough - instead looking to the government for more help.

I will never forget the interaction Cosby had with Arie Crown Hebrew Day School. Just before his meteoric rise to super-stardom his comedy series gave him, he had a career slump.  Arie Crown’s board of directors (of which I was a member at the time) had contacted him to perform at one of our  fundraiser. He agreed to do so for a relatively inexpensive fee but conditioned it on a possible Las Vegas deal that would supersede his commitment to us - since that would pay him considerably more money. That is what happened. But he promised to show up next year for the same fee. And he did. 

We asked him to keep his routine clean and he did. It was one of the funniest performances by a comedian I have ever heard. Shortly after that his comedy series debuted. And the rest as they say is history. Almost.

Bill Cosby’s contribution to his community is second only to Dr. Martin Luther King’s contribution. 

I mention all of this to underscore the significance of what happened yesterday. Bill Cosby was convicted on 3 counts of aggravated indecent assault against  Andrea Constand in 2004 at his mansion .She was one of multiple women that accused him of drugging and raping them over a period of 50 years!

I was shocked when I originally heard those accusations back in October of 2014. But nothing made it as final as yesterday’s verdict. I was shocked all over again when I heard the word ‘guilty’ as the jury’s verdict. Cosby may spend the next 30 years in prison. Which for this 80 year old probably means the rest of his life. 

Frankly 30 years for taking advantage of his celebrity and sexually abusing - even raping so many women - which causied so much pain to those innocent survivors does not even seem like enough. Nor does all of his efforts on behalf of his people seem all that significant in light of it. 

On the other hand it must be said that I don’t see his conviction changing all the good he did.

How the mighty have fallen. So many prominent people, highly respected and highly honored like Cosby have bitten the dust. It seems to never end. Just today one of the most respected broadcast journalists, Tom Brokaw, was accused of sexual misconduct by a former female colleague. (He denies it!) Their true character has been revealed. Cosby is a Jekyll and Hyde. He is a great humanitarian and a human piece of garbage – all rolled into one.

This is a teachable moment. What we can learn from this is that people are complicated. I truly believe that Cosby was completely dedicated to bettering the lives of black people. Which he succeeded at – probably beyond his own wildest dreams. That was his ‘day’ job’.  His ‘night job’ was as a serial rapist - ruining the lives of dozens of women over a period of 50 years. And he almost got away with it!

The lesson we must take from this is that great people… people that seem beyond reproach… people that are worshipped as icons... people that contribute greatly to society can still do really bad things. So bad that all their good works almost pale by comparison. 

Cosby had so much respect; had done so much for his community and for the world, for so long - that accusations of sexual abuse could not be possibly be true. Not Possible! But they were true. In spades. Thankfully the system worked. To quote one of the survivor’s attorneys - in this case,  ‘Justice delayed was not justice denied’.

Which makes me wonder about what we would do if something like this happened in our world. If a religious icon in Orthodox Judaism were accused of sexual abuse, how would we react? Would we say. ‘Impossible’ and accuse the victim of lying? Or would we investigate the charges? And how would we implement an investigation?

This is where the lesson of Cosby’s conviction comes in. It takes a great deal of impartiality to get at the truth. A man with the achievements of a ‘Cosby’ might be treated differently than the average Jew. Especially if he has a life long history of tremendous service to the Jewish people and was beloved by them. The belief by his colleagues in the improbability of doing something so terrible can easily result in giving the accused the benefit of the doubt. And by default discrediting the victim, thereby traumatizing them again!

If anything can be learned from this event, it is that any individual accused of wrongdoing, no matter how accomplished, no matter how many or how great their contributions should be treated like anyone else accused. Which means the kind impartially that can only come about from the outside. Because of the obvious bias that an icon like that generates o the inside. No one that knows him, or even heard of him ought to be involved. Impartiality is key to the truth. Which is why those rabbis who insist on vetting all accusation through them are so wrong. If anything makes that clear it is this.

Chasing Jews Away from Judaism

The view from behind the Mechitza (OJADAR)

If one wants to know what NOT to do when interacting with secular Jews, one need not look further than a post on Facebook (originally in Hebrew but translated rather awkwardly there). It was about the experience a secular Jewish woman had in the Orthodox Shul where her youngest cousin was celebrating his Bar Mitzvah. The short version is that she felt very uncomfortable and unwelcome. From the post (in translation): 

At the entrance to the synagogue stood several men in prayer shawls: "Men straight, women right and up."

No peace, no good morning.

Mom and I began to move forward and then the guy raised the voice: "Women right!"

I explained to him that I was not deaf and continued on my way (I went to the right...), while I was silencing the cell phone. "And without a cell phone!" He continued to shout after me in a scolding tone…

We went to the women's aid and met the other women in the family. My shoes rattled the stairs so the second we went in, they were greeted with sour pickles. "Shhhhhh ..." We sat down…

Needless to say I did not see anything because not only is the help located on the floor above the prayer hall, it is also separated by a high wooden lattice. You have to stand and see, and there are many women so I'm not sure you'll be able to make your way to the front row…

When we tried to get close to the grate they made faces, but who cares. We threw taffy on the men and were excited when the youngest child in the family read his story perfectly. Even then they scolded us for the candies (not before the scooper had collected a handful into his pocket).

At some point I rummaged through my bag and checked the cell phone (which is well hidden in the bag) [looking for what she believed was an important text - HM]

The lady next to me saw and barked that cell phones were forbidden, and that I should be ashamed. Then she added: "Just go away, you have no interest here, it's not yours."

One might defend the reaction somewhat by saying that she came in with a chip on her shoulder. Or because some of the things she did were clearly offensive to Orthodox Jews. Such as  checking  her ‘well hidden’ cellphone. True, it is disturbing to see that in a Shul on Shabbos during Davening. But that does not excuse the reaction these Jews had to this woman.

If she was there only to stir up controversy and ‘show the world’ how intolerant Orthodox Jews were to secular Jews, the reaction might be a bit more understandable. But even then, that kind of reaction is inappropriate. It would feed right into an anti Orthodox agenda which would be reported to the world.  In this instance - you fight fire with kindness. Not fire.

But it is highly unlikely that this woman came in with an agenda in any case. She said that she ‘came from a good place’ and simply wanted to celebrate the Bar Mitzvah with her family. That she was secular – which was made obvious by the cellphone part of her story - should have generated an opposite reaction. You do not win any friends by telling an obviously secular Jew to ‘Go away’ and that she doesn’t belong. The truth is that she does belong. She is every bit as Jewish as the Orthodox congregants there.

The fact that she contrasted this experience with what she recalls being a marvelous experience she had in a non Orthodox Shul makes it even more likely that she will – not only never see Orthodox Jews in a positive light again, but that she will run away as far them as she can form them. And then tell the world why in a Facebook post – thus turning off any other secular Jew reading it. 

That is indeed what she did.

I realize that a having a positive experience in that Shul would  very likely not by itself have encouraged her to seek a more observant life. But we will never know that for sure. What we do know is that it is more unlikely now than ever because of this experience.

The right thing to do was to treat her with the dignity any human being should get. Especially a fellow member of God’s chosen people. She is not evil. There was no malicious intent in her attendance in that Shul. She just wanted to participate in her cousin’s Simcha. That should be the assumption made by all of us about secular Jews that enter a Shul. And not to treat them like they were our enemies.

Can anyone imagine what she might have written had she had a positive experience? Had she been greeted with a friendly face and told nicely where women are seated  - and was there anything she needed… not ‘shushed’ about the noise her shoes made climbing the stairs... not scolded her about the candies she threw... and had the woman next to her looked the other way when she checked her cellphone... Had she not been told to  get out and the she doesn’t belong.... 

Had she instead been treated in a welcoming fashion her experience would have likely rendered a glowing review on Facebook instead of the travesty she described. She was very likely in the category of a Tinok SheNishba - a woman ‘captured as a child’ having been raised with no real knowledge about what it means to be an Orthodox Jew and live life in accordance to Halacha. 

Instead of trying to make her feel comfortable and welcome she was made to feel the opposite of that.

I don’t get the righteous indignation of Orthodox Jews that react this way to secular Jews. Do they not realize that they chase people away from an observant lifestyle with such behavior? What do they gain by having had this reaction? Who do they serve by throwing an obstacle to observance in front of a fellow Jew? 

Does it make them feel better? Did it make them holier in the eyes of God? Do they think God doesn’t care about a Tinok SheNishba? That He is willing to write them off just because they were not born into religious families? ...or somehow became observant via others? Have they not an obligation to show their own people the beauty of Judaism and to make sure that they have a willing listener instead of chasing them away because their behavior did not fit with the religious decorum of the Shul?!

I am appalled at the way this woman was treated. Even if she had an agenda, that behavior only fed into it… corroborating an anti Orthodox view. It is not hard to imagine that treating even such a woman with kindness and trying our best to make her feel comfortable – the difficult time she would have spinning that experience negatively.   

Where do they get the idea that secular Jews are to be mistreated that way? Have they been indoctrinated to see all secular Jews as the enemy? If so, they too need Kiruv. Because this behavior is about as un-Jewish as it can get.

The Price Tag of Land Idolatry

Meir Ettinger, believed to be the leader of the 'Hilltop Youth'

In a largely unfair and biased attack against Religious Zionism by Open Orthodox Rabbi Shumly Yanklowitz he made reference to something he called ‘Land Idolatry’.  Even though I disagreed with his distorted views about today’s Religious Zionism, that particular phrase struck a chord with me.

First let me be clear. The vast majority of Religious Zionists (Mizrachi) are idealistic religious Jews that focus on the Mitzvah of settling and living in Israel. Most, though not all, see the near miraculous return of Israel into Jewish hands after 2000 years of exile to be a sign of the first flowering of God’s promised redemption. In that vein they concentrate mightily of trying to convince all Jews in the Diaspora to make Aliyah – immigrate to Israel. 

They have in fact been pretty successful in that goal. Chicago was once a completely Mizrachi town. Now it barely has a Mizrachi presence. While there are a number of significant reasons for this, one of them is that the most active members of Mizrachi have actually left Chicago and made Aliyah.

After the 6 Day War in 67, when Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) was recaptured, there was an ambitious government campaign to settle it. Today there are several very successful settlements - most of them just the other side of the pre 67 borders.  Religious Zionists - many of them expatriate Americans (among others) live there. They are all law abiding citizens that contribute mightily to their country in a variety of ways.

Even though I might disagree with them on certain issues (for example in their opposition to ‘land for peace’ although for practical purposes I currently agree with them) I have nothing but the greatest respect and even admiration for them. Religious Zionists are for the most part the idealistic cream of Israeli society.

But they too have their extremists. Loving Eretz Yisroel has turned into an idolatry for those extremists. They have taken an ideal and distorted it beyond all recognition. To the point of turning these horribly misguided young Jews into criminal gangs that have depraved indifference to human life.  

They see Arabs as the enemy deserving of indiscriminate death and/or destruction of property.  They call it ‘Price Tag’ attacks. Implying that any atrocities that Palestinian terrorists commit against our innocents are ‘paid back’ to their innocents. 

Their attacks are not limited to Palestinians. They attack government property too when they see policies that are hostile to the settler movement.

These people go deep into the West Bank and set up trailer parks in the middle of Palestinian areas, usually on a hill and call it a Jewish settlement.  (Hence the name ‘Hilltop Youth’)

Israel’s Shin Bet (an internal intelligence service comparable to the FBI) reports that there has been a sharp rise in settler youth ‘price tag’ attacks – 13 so far this year. From in the Times of Israel: 

Earlier this month, vandals torched a mosque in the northern West Bank village of Aqraba in an apparent hate crime attack. Messages of “death,” “revenge” and “price tag” were found graffitied on the walls of the Sa’ada Mosque in the small Palestinian town of several hundred residents. 

Arson?! Innocent people die horrible deaths in arson fires. I recall what one of Chicago’s greatest mayors, Richard J. Daly, said about it when he was mayor. He ordered the police to ‘shoot to kill’ arsonists!  Sounds like a plan to me.

More from the Times of Israel: 

The week before several cars were vandalized in the northern West Bank village of Fara’ata, near Nablus, in another apparent price tag attack.

Photos of cars with smashed windshields and punctured tires were posted on Palestinian media. This was in addition to various graffiti slogans that were sprayed across walls in the area. Messages including “Stop administrative detentions” and “Administrative price tag” were scrawled on vehicles and buildings. 

I cannot condemn these extremists enough. It makes the extremists of Meah Shearim look tame by comparison.  

It is a major Chilul HaShem when religious Jews with long Peyos (that some of the of those extremists have) go around terrorizing innocent people for revenge. As though those innocent people had anything to do with what they are being attacked for – other than just being Palestinian. This kind of thinking is so warped, it defies logic.

Now I can’t say for a certainty that they are all Religious Zionist Jews. But clearly a young man assumed to be their leader, Meir Ettinger with his long Peyos and large Kipa Seruga is. The Kipa Seruga is the emblematic identifier of Religious Zionist Jews. That is the kind of Kipa warn by most settlers, including these disgusting ‘Hilltop’ animals pretending to be human.

The source for this can be traced to the Religious Zionist Ideal of resettling all of Eretz Yisroel taken to an extreme. Their ideals have morphed into ‘Land Idolatry’. While most Religious Zionists are as disgusted as I am with these miserable excuses for human beings, it cannot be denied that at the core it is a distorted by-product of their settlement activity.

Thankfully that government is taking this seriously: 

Last month, the Lod District Court handed down a five-year prison sentence to a settler teen convicted of membership in a terror organization, for carrying out a string of so-called “price-tag” attacks against Palestinians and their property. 

I’m glad to hear that and would add ‘Kein Yirbu’. May these arrests and prison sentences increase until those extremists eradicated from Klal Yisroel. And that cannot happen soon enough for me!

Is the Ship Really Sinking?

Typical look of a Kollel. Is this sustainable for everyone? (VIN)

I have been saying for many years that the system is unsustainable. Any system that relies on charity as the primary source of income is doomed to failure. It doesn’t matter where that charity comes from. Whether it is from parents, in-laws, the government, Gemachs (free loan societies) philanthropic donations, or maxing out credit cards.

Where women in the Torah world were once discouraged from joining the workforce and instead encouraged to stay home and raise their children, they are now encouraged to take advantage of the feminist achievement of bettering the lot of women in the workplace. That has allowed Charedi women to support their non income producing husbands in Kollel. (Although they are as a rule still underpaid compared to men in identical jobs). These Charedim owe a huge debt of gratitude to Betty and Gloria.

Charedi women now have double duty. They not only take on the traditional roles as wives and mothers - they have now taken on the role of breadwinner too. In most cases willingly since they are indoctrinated to seek ‘learning men’ as the ideal mate - and taught to support them.

This has degenerated into a financial crisis for the typical family of the Lithuanian style Yeshiva world. It is based on the Yeshiva ethic of full time Torah study for all men. An ethic that has been promoted ever since the mid 20^th century. (The Chasidic world has its own problems along these lines but they are beyond the scope of this post.)

Even with an underpaid – over burdened woman working full time to support her family - there is often not enough income to meet the financial obligations expected of them in their world. A world with impossible financial burdens. Burdens that can only be met with the above-mentioned financial aids. 

Some of those aids will eventually disappear. For example parents or in-laws who had decent livelihoods and were able to contribute to their children’s living expenses will not be paid forward by their children to their grandchildren. A problem that increases exponentially with each generation as their own many children each have many children of their own. Unless a family is very wealthy, the money will eventually dry up. Even in those cases where parents are willing to sell their future by refinancing their homes, cashing in life insurance polices, or continuing to work well past retirement age. There will just not be enough money. 

This is true in both Israel and the US. In the US, Charedi parents will often commit to a stipend for a few years for each child that gets married. The needs of the Kollel family does end after the term of commitment. Caring parents then feel obligated to keep helping them.That can end up with a parent working himself to the bone until the day he dies - instead of enjoying the golden years with his wife after retirement! 

In Israel there is an even greater problem. I do not understand how they do it. But they somehow do. The custom is to buy a child a Dira – a house or condo when they get married. There are many ways to do this. Such as the 2 sets of parents sharing the expense, or as has been typically the case, the bride’s father footing most of the bill.

Diras are expensive in prime Yeshiva locations like Jerusalem or Bnei Brak. New areas that have popped up (Like Modi’in Ilit) have seen an increase in price too in recent years - with law of supply and demand governing prices. The demand by the exponential growth of the Charedi world far outpaces  the supply of Diras.  A small 2 bedroom Dira can run into the millions of Shekels. It is not uncommon to pay over a million Shekels for a small 2 bedroom Dira!

Imagine if you have a typically large family of 6, 7 or more children.

This brings me to an article in Rafi’s blog, Life in Israel. He published 3 letters to the editor from a recent edition Mishpacha Magazine (in Hebrew) that deals with this problem. Their solution is for young people to take on their own mortgages, with parents only making the down payment. This has indeed been the practice in some cases. But I guess it hasn’t fully caught on yet. My view is that it is not anywhere near enough to solve this problem

Those the letters make it clear that the system is unsustainable in its current incarnation no matter who is asked to pay for those Diras. In short – it’s a zero sum game. Someone needs to pay and in each case and no one has enough money to do so. The financial burden is so great that even sharing those expenses will not help. Family life is being disrupted. Good families with loving relationships are being put under unimaginable stress. Here is an excerpt from one of those letters that demonstrates this. It was written by a woman who is a devoted part of that system: 

We are paying 4 mortgages, plus rent. We start each month about 20,000nis in overdraft. I work at 3 jobs. If the students I teach in the morning would know that in the evening I am working a shift at a far away nursing home, they would faint.

My husband is broken. He learns privately with students from morning to night. He has no satisfaction. He is embittered and grumpy. He feels no self-worth  and also feels that he cannot support his children as others supported him. Our marriage has gotten very shaky. 

This is not a dysfunctional family. Nor is it one that refuses to support itself. That should be obvious. But so too is the stress. I imagine that this family is not alone. Their experience not unique.

There are those who will still defend the system and say ‘Af Al Pi Kein’ (even so) the system has worked this way; continues to work this way, and will always work this way. They are successful because they believe that this is what God wants from them. They will add that the naysayers have been saying the system is unsustainable for years, and yet it is larger and stronger than ever.

Well that may be so. But I can’t imagine the stress expressed by that letter writer will get any better.

I don’t know what the solution to the problem is. But one thing I do know is that it was not always like this – even in the Charedi world. Of necessity most Charedim worked. And lived the modest lives that could be supported by that work. Only the most elite students would be recruited into Yeshivos. And only the most elite of those became Gedolim, Poskim,  Roshei Yeshiva, Rebbeim and Rabbonim. Everybody else got jobs in order to support their families. They were also Koveiah Itim – established fixed times for Torah study in order to fulfill their obligation to study Torah.

Today, that is no longer the case. Now everyone is encouraged to do what was once the sole province of the elite Torah scholars. When confronted with the the fact that this was not always the case, they will say ‘explain’ that it was not possible to do in those impoverished days. But now it is. We live in more prosperous times. The money is there. That’s why it’s happening and will continue to happen.

We’ll see about that. 

I don’t know. Maybe they’re right. Maybe the ‘ship is not sinking’ as Rafi’s title suggests it is. Maybe the system will somehow find a way to sustain its current paradigm. They have so far. Where there is a will there is a way, I suppose. The only question is the cost. Not only the financial cost but the cost on the mental health of the community. If those letters are any indication, I am not encouraged that there will be necessarily a positive outcome.

Way Off Base

Hesder Boys

YCT trained Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz who self identifies as Open Orthodox - is a man with a sense of high ethics and morality. He has in fact dedicated his life to those ideals. And founded many organizations along those lines.

I am told by one Orthodox rabbi who was one of Shmuly’s mentors when he was a student here in Chicago that he has always been like that. He had a good heart and sought to fulfill the Torah’s mandate of ‘Justice, Justice you shall pursue!’

He has in fact been doing that ever since. That being said, I have some profound differences with him how he has carried out that mission. He is in fact guilty of the same type of thing he accuses Religious Zionists of in a recent article. He characterizes much of Religious Zionism to be an ‘ultra-nationalistic, land-idolatry’. I actually agree with him about this in certain Religious Zionist circles. But has he not done exactly the same thing worshiping social justice as an idolatry of sorts?

He has practically made a religion out of it. In that vein he has managed to trample just about any aspect of Judaism he believes gets in the way of that.  No matter how traditional that aspect may be. Even when there is universal Orthodox rejection of his interpretation and implementation of social justice. Tradition doesn’t matter to him. It is to be abandoned to the greater good of social justice.

In a recent Arutz Sheva oped - this is what troubles him about Religious Zionism. He says it is...

‘fundamentally flawed, directionless, and even broken in many ways’ (and) ‘no longer the model for social justice and lacks a culture of tolerance, diversity’: 

This is what he says alienates liberal non-Orthodox diaspora Jews: 

Lamentably, we are rapidly losing young American Jews to the allure of anti-Zionist movements on college campuses. 

This is true. But not for the reasons he attributes it too, a Religious Zionist attitude that says:

 “Good riddance to those liberals in the Diaspora. What does it matter what they think?” 

That is not the reason. It is because of a complete lack of knowledge by today's Jewish youth about Jewish history and their Jewish heritage. It has nothing to do with the attitude of Religious Zionists about them. They don’t care about a right wing Religious Zionism they believe subjects indigenous Arabs to an ‘oppressive occupying military force’. They have been influenced by Left leaning Academics that have made heroes and martyrs of Palestinians suffering under Israeli rule. They are fed this garbage day and day out on university campuses all over the US by Palestinian academics and their Left Wing sympathizing colleagues.

He says that ‘The progressive philosophy that built modern Israel is rapidly being forgotten’. I say good riddance to that. Ever since Israel loosened the reins of their socialist ideology and allowed a little more freedom to their people, Israel has prospered.

I agree that social justice, should be a feature of any ideology that is based on Judaism. Religious Zionism included. But that cannot alone be its definition anymore than land is. We should not allow that to become the new ‘Avodah Zara’ that replaces the old ‘Avodah Zara’ of land worship. While both the land of Israel and social justice are integral to Judaism, they are only a part of it. Neither should alone be considered the sum and substance of it. 

That being said, Shumly was way off base in his analysis of Religious Zionism anyway. There was an excellent rebuttal to his views written by Rochel Sylvetsky, a woman whose son is in a Hesder Yeshiva. Hesder is a Religious Zionist program which allows soldiers to alternate Torah study with military service. It is well known that Hesder boys are among the bravest soldiers serving in the army – often taking on the most dangerous assignments in groups.  Is it not the ultimate Tikun Olam to protect your own citizens – citizens of all persuasions including those living in Meah Shearim and even Israeli Arabs?

She refutes his charge that Religious Zionism has lost its moral way by listing the many Religious Zionist organizations in Israel that do exactly what Shmuly says is missing 

While I do not agree with her entirely, she clearly makes the case that Shmuly is way off base. It is well worth reading her rebuttal in its entirely.

Bottom line is that Shmuly has a good heart. But his zeal in applying his principles has blinded him to the fact that the idealism he believes has been lost  in the Religious Zionist world is still very much alive and well.

Natalie Portman’s Shallow Perspective

Natalie Portman (Wikipedia)

I shouldn’t have been so surprised at all the attention Natalie Portman has been getting for her decision boycott a Genesis Prize ceremony in Israel. Portman was the latest recipient of this prize:

The Genesis Prize honors individuals who have attained excellence and international renown in their chosen professional fields, and who inspire others through their engagement and dedication to the Jewish community and/or the State of Israel. 

Her initial comments indicated that the reason for her refusal to attend was because of ‘recent events’. Which was a reference to the way Israel was handling weekly protests by Palestinians in Gaza amassing on its border. They are protesting their horrid living conditions. Conditions that are due primarily to Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

On the surface one might agree that Israel’s use of live ammunition against unarmed Gaza civilians protesting the hard life for which they blame Israel - as immoral. This is the way the mainstream media reports it. And obviously how Portman sees it.

The reaction to Portman’s decisions by many supporters of Israel has been to condemn her – and paint her as a BDS supporter.  She was quick to deny that, claiming that the reason she refused to attend was because Prime Minister Netanyahu would be addressing the ceremony and she did no want to be seen supporting him by her attendance.

I find all of this attention curious. Why does anyone care that a celebrity like Portman (who is being honored for her very celebrity via her acting ability) is boycotting a ceremony in Israel? Her views are either uninformed or are more likely based on her own political perspective rather than on any objective consideration.  It is a perspective shared by some of the more vocal critics of the Democratic Party, who see things the same way Portman does. None of the other Democrats in congres have (to the best of my knowledge) defended Israel against those critics.

Their hate for Netanyahu was made abundantly clear when he addressed congress during the Obama administration - urging the US to reject the nuclear deal with Iran. Some Democrats actually boycotted Netanyahu's address. But even those that attended were highly critical of him and the Speaker of the House who invited him. 

Portman was born in Israel. I suppose that is part of the reason people pay any attention at all to her views on Israel. But being born in Israel does not make her views any more valid that Mahmoud Abbas’s views are. Abbas was born in Haifa.

Portman is Jewish. Perhaps that is also why she is given attention. It is true that she is Jewish. She was born of a Jewish mother. End of story. But her lifestyle hardly reflects that fact. Someone whose Judaism consists of marrying a non Jew (who later ‘converted’) and putting up a Christmas tree in her home, hardly makes her values consistent with Judaism. 

Portman is known for her social activism. While some of her activities along those lines may be in in concert with Jewish values, they are hardly exclusively Jewish. True she was born a Jew and that makes her Jewish. Being born Jewish lends no more credence to her sense of Judaism than it did to Louis ‘Lepke’ Buchalter. He too was born a Jew too. He founded Murder, Inc.

I am not comparing Portman to Buchalter. Just noting that one’s lifestyle is indicative of their values. Neither Portman nor Buchalter’s lifestyle is indicative Jewish values.

I will take Portman’s word for it and grant that she does not support BDS. But that does not make her decision any wiser. As I said, it is likely informed by her brand of politics. A view that ignores the Israel’s right as a sovereign nation to decide how to best defend itself. 

Portman’s views are shallow. She sees what’s on the surface: An oppressed population in Gaza being controlled by a mighty military oppressor using lethal weapons against unarmed civilians.

There is no attempt to understand why Israel, a country that has done so much kindness in the world, found it necessary to protect itself that way. 

Israelis are the original ‘Doctors without Borders’. Where ever there has been a catastrophe in the world, Israel is practically the first one there to help. They do not look at the race or religion of the people suffering.  Even when Israel’s enemies are involved. They saw a need by Syrians injured in their civil war and filled it. They treated them in field hospitals and in even their own hospitals in Israel as needed. Does it make any sense that this kind of people would use more force than they believed necessary to protect themselves? 

If Israel uses live ammunition, it isn’t because they want to kill Gaza protesters indiscriminately. Even under warlike conditions Israeli soldiers try to minimize casualties to the innocent among their enemies at increased risk to themselves. It was not beneath Hamas leaders to make sure Israel kills innocent children by using them as human shields!

. 

The same thing is happening now. They are forcing Israel into a corner and then crying foul. These protesters are not peaceful. True they don’t have guns. But they do have deadly weapons such as Molotov Cocktails. Israel is not going to respond with their own Molotov cocktails. They are going to shoot at someone throwing it at them. The mainstream media reports this as Israelis shooting at unarmed civilians  protesting conditions forced upon them by the Israeli government. A truly disgusting distortion of the truth.

I cannot stress enough the fact that none of this would be happening if Gaza’s Hamas leaders had taken Israels gift of Gaza and tried to build a country instead of spending every dollar they got building terror tunnels and arming themselves with all kinds of weapons. Including rockets supplied by Iran - hidden among the very goods that are vital to Gaza. But blockaded to prevent those things being smuggled in and used to kill innocent Israelis They care more about destroying Israel than they do about their own people.  And in the process they get to blame their sorry predicament on Israel’s blockade.

The protests are about lifting the blockade.  And a sympathetic world agrees - completely ignoring Israel’s security needs.

There is not a question in my mind that Israel would not boycott Gaza if it didn’t see it as an existential exercise. If Gaza’s Hamas leaders would have taken Gaza graciously and asked Israel to help them build their country, Israel would have jumped at the chance. Israel is not interested in maintaining the conflict. But Gaza’s Hamas leaders see only one goal. And it isn’t about giving their people a better life. It is about destroying Jewish Israel and taking the land for Islam. 

If Natalie Portman had any real sense of compassion, and really wanted to help the down trodden Palestinians in Gaza, she should understand that Gaza’s real oppressors are its Hamas leadership. Her celebrity would be put to far better use had she not boycotted the Genesis ceremony. And instead used it as an opportunity to assert the truth about what is really going on there instead of her knee-jerk reaction to boycott it.

Had she done that she would have done more for the cause of Gaza to alleviate its suffering than a hundred boycotts.  What she has accomplished instead is giving a boost the Palestinian narrative and has encouraged Gaza’s Hamas leadership to continue their terrorist ways.

Collusion, Obstruction, and James Comey

Former FBI Director, James Comey - A higher loyalty? Or self loyalty.

It’s a slow news day in the Jewish world. Not much to comment on. At least not that I care about. So I thought I would reflect a bit on current events with respect to the President.

I have very little sympathy for James Comey. He is currently on a book tour with a mission to sell a lot of books and glorify himself in the process. After watching some of the interviews he gave this week, I saw a man who was mostly self absorbed -  and cannot get over the shock of being fired as Director of the FBI.

I saw nothing that he said about Trump as damning. Certainly nothing about collusion with the Russians to subvert the election. Or even obstruction of justice. A lot of that was Comey’s own interpretation about what Trump said to him in his initial meetings as President or President-elect.

True, Trump’s request asking him for loyalty; or his request to cut some slack to his (at the time) recently fired National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn - might sound suspiciously like obstruction of justice. But that is a long way from proving intent. He did not exactly order him to do it. He asked him if he could see his way clear to doing it. It’s all in how you interpret his words.  Comey obviously  wants it to be seen as obstruction. That is how he has presented it.

The fact is, Trump’s communication skills are sorely lacking. Which leaves a lot of what he says open to interpretation. Which can go either way depending on which side of the political aisle you are on. (And tweets don’t really count. It’s almost as if he had an alternate personality - tweeting as an observer rather than as President.)

Bias is easy to see in Trump’s detractors when they are interviewed. What galls me the most, though, is their projection of righteousness of their views. As though it is - oh - so obvious how guilty he is of either collusion or obstruction. As if this is the way any normal person would see it.

And it doesn’t really help Trump’s image when practically the entire mainstream media so obviously plays right into that narrative about Trump  – without actually saying so and pretending to be objective.

Comey has been received as a near hero by the media and Trump’s enemies for ‘exposing’ to  the world just what a lying, immoral, and unethical individual Trump is. (…as if we don’t already know that.) But Comey’s bias is made obvious by the pettiness of his comments about Trump’s appearance. Those personal attacks clearly make his entire narrative suspect.

How ironic that this is the same man who is characterized as a hero - was seen as the devil by the same people: Clinton supporters who accused him of sabotaging her campaign. If this doesn’t show political bias, I don’t know what does.

I wouldn’t put any stock on Comey having any impact on Mueller’s investigation either. There is probably nothing in Comey’s book that Mueller doesn’t already know.

There has also been a lot of speculation that Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen will ‘spill the beans’ on Trump when confronted with evidence that he violated laws that might end up in a long prison sentence -  unless he cooperates.

That should be put to rest by Mueller’s own comments. He has said that Trump is not the object of Michael Cohen’s investigation.

I realize that some people reading this will say that I have gone over to the ‘dark side’. That I am now a closet Trump supporter. That could not be further from the truth.  I have not changed my views about his character. They have only been reinforced. Time and again.

I stand by my view that, unlike President Obama, Trump is morally and ethically unfit to be President - much the same view Comey has. But at the same time unlike Obama - his foreign policy has been more favorable with respect to the UN, North Korea,  Syria, and Israel. And his domestic policy with respect to the economy has been mostly favorable too. So far.

I try to be objective and see things as they really are – and not how the media necessarily presents them.

I could be wrong, but I think Trump is here to stay for at least the duration of his first term. And perhaps even a second term. I know that Mueller is not done yet. I also know that he has not publicly commented about whether his committee will find Trump to be guilty of either collusion or obstruction. But I just don’t think he will. And we should just get used to it.

It’s Time

ZAKA founder and head, Yehuda Meshi-Zahav (YWN)

Tomorrow (April 20^th) is the 5^th of Iyar. That is the day in 5708 (May 14, 1948) when Israel formally declared its independence – Yom Ha’atzmaut. (For reasons beyond the scope of this post, Israel’s Rabbinate has moved up its observance to today). But tomorrow is the actual date.

This is the day every year that my Rebbe, Rav Ahron Soloveichik said Hallel. And it is the day that the Ponevezhe Rav, Yosef Kahaneman did not say Tachanun (a daily prayer of supplication that is to be omitted on days where there is a religious holiday or celebration).  Both of these Gedolim from yesteryear recognized the significance of this day.  It was the first time since the destruction of Bayis Sheni (the 2^nd Temple) that the land of Israel was back in Jewish hands.

They were not alone. Many of the Gedolei HaDor of that time understood the that significance as well. It was a time of rare unity in Klal Yisroel. All of the religious factions in Israel united under one banner:  The United Religious Front.  A political party that consisted of Agudat Yisroel, Mizrachi, Poalei Agudat Yisroel, and HaPoel HaMizrachi.

I was recently sent a list of some of the distinguished Gedolim that signed a document* that contained that party’s platform. Which read: 

We thank Hashem that through his mercy we have been privileged to see the sparks of the beginning of the redemption with the creation of the Jewish state. 

Among others were the following signatories:

R Yechezkel Sarna - Rosh Yeshiva of Hebron

R Yaakov Sanktvitz  - Rosh Yeshiva of Sfas Emes

R Zalman Sotozkin  - Head  of the Vaad HaYeshivot

R Yechiel Tuchashinsky  - Rav of Etz Chaim

R Eliyahu Ram  - Rebbe in Yeshivat Meah Shearim

R Yechiel Shlesinger - Rebbe in Kol Torah

R Yaakov Landau - Rav of Bnei Brak

I believe it was Chazaon Ish changed all that. His philosophy is that which Charedi leaders follow today. In fact the anti Israel rhetoric has today become so vile in some cases, that even the Chzaon Ish would be appalled. If one would listen to some of it - they would think that Yom Ha’atzmaut was not only NOT to be celebrated, but is to be seen as a tragedy! The anti Israel rhetoric is alive and well in most of those circles. Some of it so bad, if one didn’t know better, they would think it were Hamas, Hezbollah, or Iran talking.

Even those whose rhetoric is not so acerbic, are still of the opinion that the State of Israel has no religious significance whatsoever. And use very opportunity to make that clear. They consider Israel’s founders Reshaim – evil people out to destroy Torah.  Although there are some that do recognize what the State of Israel does for them (most famously the late R’ Chaim Shmulevitz and the late R’ Nosson Tzvi Finkel), there are others that see the State mostly as a cash cow. Which is the primary reason that there are Charedi political parties in Israel today. They serve in the Keneset mainly to protect their own interests. None of them would dare skip Tachanun on Yom Ha’atzmaut, let alone say Halllel.

When confronted with the very real benefits bestowed upon them by the modern civilized state Israel has built, they chalk it up to selfishness… using a passage in the Gemarah as a parallel. The Romans didn’t build their roads for the jews. They built them for themselves!

This attitude permeates much of Charedi thinking. Reactions to any event related to the state is usually negative. Charedi leaders tell their people not to participate in them. Often explaining that the Zionist method of observance is not the Jewish way. So for example when a moment of silence for fallen soldiers was established on Israel’s memorial day, Charedim ignore it. Those with smoe compassion in their hearts for bereaved will stand silently in public when the siren blows.  But not in private. And some don’t even do it in public to show just how much disdain they have for the State. Yom Ha’atzmaut means less than nothing to them. They would probably be just as happy (maybe even happier) if the British mandate was still in place. Surely Satmar and Neturei Karta would be.

That said, things are beginning to change. There are Charedim in Israel that are beginning to recognize the value of a Jewish State. Even a Zionist one. There are now Charedi schools that impart a more positive attitude toward the State. There are now Charedim serving in the military. And there are even former hardcore members of Neturei Karta that have come around. All anyone need do is open their eyes and then their minds. By doing that they will realize that all the anti-Israel rhetoric they have been indoctrinated to believe is either grossly exaggerated or entirely untrue.

Sure, some of their complaints might be legitimate. But the fact is that without the Zionist founders, there would probably not be much Torah learning there. I don’t think that is even arguable.

I recall a story told about Rabbi Oscar Z. Fasman, founding president of my alma mater, HTC (back in the 20s). In seeking support for the Chicago Yeshiva, he traveled to Europe to meet with as many Gedolim as he could - seeking their advice. One of them was Rav Yosef Rozen, better known as the Rogatchover Gaon.  

After their meeting as Rabbi Fasman was about to leave, the Rogatchover asked him where he was going next. Rabbi Fasman said Eretz Yisroel. With a wave of his hand  the Rogatchover said,  Eretz Yisroel? They don’t know how to learn there! Today Israel is the largest Makom Torah in the world. Today one might say the reverse of what the Rogatchover said: America? They don’t know how to learn there (compared to Israel).

One of the primary reasons Torah study is flourishing there is because of a country that was made habitable for  people used to the amenities of a civilized world. Not to mention all of the subsidies provided by the government. Including protection from a military that they are exempted from.

No one says it better than ZAKA founder and head, Yehuda Meshi-Zahav in a letter to his uncle - published at YWN. His uncle is Neturei Karta founder, Amram Blau. Meshi-Zahav was raised on the knees of his uncle, bought hook line and sinker into his anti Israel rhetoric, and became a soldier for Neturei Karta’s war against Zionism. His message: His uncle was wrong! He explains why in great detail. His missive should be read n full. Here is a small excerpt: 

Who would have believed that 73 years after the terrible Holocaust, when the people of Israel were almost extinct, and there was hardly any trace of Torah and Chasidism, we would have a Jewish state of our own. The State of Israel. A state in which the world of Torah will reach prosperity unparalleled in the history of the Jewish people. 

It is time. Its time for the entire Charedi world  to let go.  Its time to discard all the old rhetoric about how Israel’s founders tried to destroy the Torah and whose political heirs – today’s leaders - still have that mission.

It is time to instead have Hakoras HaTov – gratitude for all the State has done for them, and for the entire Jewish people. It is time to recognize the significance of a strong Jewish State where Torah now flourishes. It’s time to reignite the Ahavas Yisroel of their spiritual forbears and reject the Sinas Chinam of today. 

They don’t have to say Hallel. Nor do they even have to skip Tachanun. All they need to do is recognize the reality that Yehua Meshi-Zahav does. If they do that, who knows…?  Maybe next year we can all celebrate in Jerusalem.

*There is apparently some controversy about validity of this document. 

Two Charedi Videos

It is said that R' Shach would cry upon hearing of the death of any IDF soldier

I love the Charedi world. I really do. Even though I am not Charedi and do not always agree with them, I admire and respect the devotion they have in serving God. They are, in my view, role models for that. Very few Jews – even Orthodox Jews - can live up to a standard where how one lives  and virtually everything one does  - is all about serving God.

For the most part those virtues which in part consist of dedication, commitment, and compassion serve them well as husbands, wives, mothers and fathers.  Family values are a part of their very being. Kindness, charitable giving, and Torah study is part of their collective soul. 

This is not to say that they are saints. Who among us is? But they are probably less sinners that most of the rest of us. This applies to both the Yeshiva world and the Chasidic world. (Yes, I know there are exceptions.)

This might sound strange coming from someone that has been so critical of Charedim on so many issues. But that’s only because I care. I want to see them flourish. Not flounder. I want to see extremism destroyed, not tolerated. Unfortunatley there are far too many that follow a philosophy of extremism (a minority to be sure) - and some of those act on it without enough protest from their leadership.

Some people have accused me of trying to make Charedim over in my image as a Centrist. Much as I would love to see every Jew follow the same Hashkafa I do, that is not my goal. My goal is for each community to represent their own Torah Hashkafa in a positive light. All in the spirit of Elu V’Elu. 

While it is legitimate to criticize them when we feel it is warranted - we must at the same time recognize and admire their many strengths and positive attributes.  Live and let live within the parameters of the Torah through Halacha and Mesorah. That is my belief. Citicizing them L’Shem Shomayim only when it is warranted.

Obviously criticism is subjective and based on the individual critic’s personal perspective or bias. There can be clear differences of opinion about what is and isn’t legitimate criticism. But that’s just called being human. As long as it is L’Shem Shomayim – we should all agree that it is legitimate to criticize.

I mention this to be clear about my intent as I criticize yet another disgusting event in the Charedi world. It happened last night on Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day. An event that is in stark contrast to another event in the Charedi world that was very inspiring. (More about that later.)

Last night I was directed to a video recording of a protest held at the epicenter of the extremist Charedi world, Kikar Shabbat. This is the intersection in Jerusalem where the Geula meets the Meah Shearim. It was held at the exact same moment when sirens were sounding indicating a moment of silence for fallen soldiers. They ignored it. Instead of being silent, they continued loudly protesting.

They of course have every right protest in a democracy. But it is the height of insensitivity to do that during the very moment where a national moment of silence is being observed. Regardless of how they feel about this method of memorializing the dead. They consider it a non Jewish way of doing that. But that doesn’t really matter. They should have done what most Charedim in Israel do that agree with them about it being Jewishly inappropriate and nevertheless stand in silence so as not to hurt the families that have lost loved ones in battle.

The callousness of these extremists is appalling. People died serving the very country that allows them to protest it. These were young soldiers who fought Israel’s enemies valiantly and gave up their lives. And yet these miscreants could not care less. There is not an ounce of compassion for the families that mourn the loss of their sons and daughters; brothers and sisters; and in some cases husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. They see what they believe to be an evil government and all they can feel is hate.

What is almost as sad as the demonstrators themselves is the bystanders looking on. Where was the outrage?!

I realize that these are so many of these kinds of protests that a lot of mainstream Charedim just have ‘battle fatigue’. They are probably just tired of all this and look on with dismay – hoping it passes quickly.

But still, to see this display of callousness without a single person there saying a word (at least none that was recorded) was depressing and makes me angry. I can only surmise that this ‘fatigue’ combined with decades of anti Zionist indoctrination has led them to tolerate this Chilul HaShem.

That video should however be contrasted to another one. One that is entirely the opposite. It is a different kind of a Charedi response to fallen soldiers. One that is a Kiddush haShem. It is a recording of the magnificent Rabbi Menachem Bombach teaching a classroom (or assembly) filled with Chasidic students. He is teaching them what it means to lose a loved one in battle serving their country.  

This is what I mean by Charedi compassion. It’s there. But because of all the anti Zionist indoctrination -these young children have somehow become immune to the tragedy of a fallen soldier.  This video is truly inspiring and gives me hope that the innate compassion that is part and parcel of the soul of the Jewish people becomes unlocked from the prison created by a rhetoric of hate.

I hope that this kind of truth will catch on. True, Rabbi Bombach’s school is unique and counter culture to his Chasidic anti secular studies heritage. But the compassion he teaches is certainly not counter culture. Hopefully this approach will somehow spread to other Chasidic schools, regardless of how they feel about Zionism or about teaching secular subjects.

God bless Rabbi Bombach. He is truly one of my heroes. Unlike those extremists, he is the real deal. We need a lot more like him and a lot less extremists who participate in protests like the one at Kikar Shabbat.