Telling It Like It Is

Ignoring the pandemic -  attendees at a recent Charedi Wedding (TOI)

Dynamite! That is the best word I can think of to describe the hard hitting words of Rabbi Yitzchok Adlerstein in his latest Cross Currents piece.

Although he agrees with those like Rabbi Avi Shafran - that have defended the Charedi world against unfair criticism (some of it bordering on antisemtism if not actual antisemitism) - he has at the same time taken a step back to analyze what the critics have been saying. To his dismay he finds a lot of that criticism is justified. Many of the things the Charedi world has been accused of - are true.

This does not really let the critics off the hook. The fact is that a lot of the criticism during this crisis aimed at Charedim is based on incomplete information. That’s what makes it biased and unfair.

However, Rabbi Adlerstein insists that we must not just dismiss it with a ‘Let’s not beat ourselves up about it - it’s not our fault’ pat on the back. (As per a Mishpacha Magazine column by Jonathan Rosenblum last week.) blaming our high numbers our particular circumstances. We do at our own peril. 

Instead of paraphrasing, I am going to do something I do not often do and quote extensively from the article. (Which should absolutely be read in its entirety). Most of the things he is saying, I have said myself in separate posts. Rabbi Adlerstein has put them all together in what I believe is an important wake-up call. Which is necessary if we are going to do what’s necessary over the next few months to make sure things don’t get worse.

It is one thing if a non Charedi like me says it. by not being Charedi myself my views are dismissed as biased. That is why it was important that someone that identifies as Charedi (albeit clearly a moderate one) say it. Which counters accusations of bias. Here is some of what he says:

It is good to cut through the illegitimate criticism, and show that “the self-doubts and recriminations are excessive.”. But it is not so good to allow the moment to pass without taking note of the multiple, systemic weaknesses and failures that killed people, are still killing people, and, bederech hateva, will continue to kill people. 

It’s not quite true that once the word got out, everyone did what they were supposed to. That is certainly true of the overwhelming majority, but those who didn’t constituted a miyut ha-matzui, a very significant minority. Rabbi Rosenblum’s prediction that, while we were not so quick to respond properly, “we will surely do so in the future” has already shown itself to overly optimistic. Charedim ignoring the protocols were on full display on Lag B’Omer in Meron, Meah Shearim, Stamford Hill, and Brooklyn. 

Rabbi Meyer Twersky’s recent incisive piece pointed to the irony of the levaya that ultimately was the cause for De Blasio’s lashing out at the Jewish community. “An inestimable indignity was perpetrated, however unintentionally, when – for the nominal honor of the deceased – people were exposed to danger and, additionally, a chilul Hashem ensued.” None of this occurred because of poor communication and learning late about the dangers of covid-19. In fact, the shul that organized the levaya hosted a large event the very next week – and once again subjected all other Jews to mounting anti-Semitism. 

Why was the response in Bnei Brak both a flip-flop, and late in coming? Are we going to question the manipulation of leadership by askanim and grandchildren, as a prominent Bnei Brak rosh yeshiva did? To be sure, if we don’t, a sizeable number of people will ask the questions – and come up with answers far more dangerous than if we probe respectfully, rather than ignore the issue? 

Where were we when Kupat Ha’ir guaranteed – yes, guaranteed – that anyone who donated 3000NIS would be spared from infection (and rewarded with a silver amulet, to boot)? Did we recognize this as directly imperiling the lives of thousands of people, who could then go about their usual routine, without taking any precautions?

In a subsequent interview, a ranking member of the court argued that anyone who would not take advantage of such a guarantee could only be something between a maskil and an apikorus. Did we protest the bizayon ha-Torah in such a position, that makes Torah Jews look like simpletons, rather than discerning and wise? Why does that sizeable minority of scofflaws continue to exist?

Is there something we can learn by observing where the trouble comes from, and where it continues? Does pointing to the misbehavior of spoiled hipsters on Tel Aviv beaches make us feel better? Should we find succor in comparing ourselves with the worst of what the surrounding society has to offer, rather than hold ourselves to the highest standards? The power of the community is strong. What does the existence of our sizeable minority of people indifferent to the life and death of others, as well as chilul Hashem, say about the latitude that the rest of us have created for them? 

Was it appropriate for Mishpacha to do a laudatory piece on Kiryas Joel, and the guidelines that were ultimately set down by leadership, without mentioning that it took a call from the White House to make that happen? Do we not believe that this itself was a major chilul Hashem? 

Should we not try to assess the impact of the minority on the well-being of the majority? Can we try to learn in the coming months how many Jews were left unattended by health-care workers who viscerally reacted to the visuals they watched day after day of very Jewish-looking Jews flouting the law? Will it matter to us?

Indeed. Will it? There is a lot more in Rabbi Adlerstein’s article. All of it of great value - which offers corroboration of other views I have expressed. And as I said it should be read in its entirety.

Those among us that criticize the Charedi world for rarely if ever seeing fault in themselves should read this piece. And realize that there are people in that world that can assess things honestly - without the usual apologetics. 

Rabbi Adlerstein is to be congratulated for this courageous analysis. For which there will no doubt be a lot of push-back. Which I’m sure he probably anticipates. I urge as many of you as possible to show him your support by going over to Cross Currents and telling him so.