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| Charedi protest against the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill (JC) |
(Some might challenge me on this, given what could be perceived as my recent ‘extreme’ stance on dealing with Palestinian terrorists and Iran. But when there is no alternative, you work with what you have. I do not consider doing what is necessary for Jewish survival to be extreme.)
When I look at both the left and the right in Orthodoxy, I am dismayed by
what passes for authentic Judaism in their eyes.
Among extremists on the right, there is often a perception
that the world is at war with them. This is how Charedim in Israel view their
government’s efforts to draft their youth into the IDF. It is also how Charedim
in the UK perceive their government’s educational requirements. As reported in
the Jewish Chronicle:
One of the most influential Charedi rabbis in the country
has warned Strictly Orthodox families that they must leave the country if the
Schools Bill is passed.
Rabbi Avrohom Gurwicz, head of Gateshead Yeshiva - the largest yeshiva in Europe and one of the most prestigious in the Orthodox world - has stated:
“Now, in light of the terrible danger that a law might be enacted to mandate the education of our children without Torah and without faith—a law that would require anyone with sons or daughters of school age to uproot their residence from this state to another state that allows education according to the tradition passed down from generation to generation. It is our sacred duty to pray to the Almighty and do everything in our power to prevent this danger…”
The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which recently passed a second reading in the House of Commons, includes provisions to regulate independent educational institutions and requires local authorities to maintain registers of children who are home-schooled or taught outside of mainstream schools...
For over a decade, the Charedi community has opposed government educational proposals, claiming they could lead to mandatory teaching of secular subjects (emphasis mine) and ‘British values’ such as respect and tolerance. This could include acknowledging same-sex couples and transgender individuals.
I understand Rav Gurwicz’s objection to teaching tolerance
for same-sex couples and transgender people, even though I disagree with him.
Tolerance is not the same as promoting a lifestyle that the Torah forbids.
Quite the opposite. One must act with compassion and respect for people who
cannot help their natural inclinations. This is not the same as endorsing a
lifestyle that Halacha deems illegitimate. This is why non-Charedi Orthodox
schools in the UK, under the guidance of Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, have
adopted an approach that aligns both with Halacha and British values.
But that is not the only issue that concerns the Gateshead
Rosh Yeshiva. Now, they have determined that teaching secular subjects is so
problematic that they are willing to leave the country to avoid it. Heaven
forbid a Jewish child should learn how to speak, read, and write the language
of the country in which they live. Heaven forbid they learn civics, math, science, or world history.
No, they must leave the country first, lest they be exposed to Limudei Chol (secular studies). This level of isolationism has all the earmarks of a cult. And yet, to the best of my knowledge, Gateshead remains mainstream and one of the most respected Yeshivas in the world - unlike the extremist Chasidic yeshivas in New York that also fight against Limudei Chol. (Two of which were recently shut down by the New York State Education Department.)
This is the brave new world of Charedim. You know what? If
that’s what they want, let them leave.
