The Jewish character of Jerusalem is at stake. At this moment in time there is an ongoing metamorphosis taking place that has many ramifications. What I am talking about is the Charedization of the city. The question is, is that a good thing or a bad one. The answer is not as simple as one might think. An article in the Los Angeles Times spells out some of the issues.
That the Torah is a guiding principle in the holy cityof Jerusalem is of primary importance. Without our Torah, there is no Yerushalayim Ir HaKodesh. We could then hardly make any more legitimate claims to the city than the Arabs do. But whose Torah is it? Does it belong only to those whose Hashkafos are so right wing that they chase away the more moderate, modern Orthodox Jews? That is what seems to be happening.
As Charedim are moving in, so are the Modern Orthodox and secular Jews moving out.. And that is not a good thing. Secular Jews and Modern Orthodox Jews provide a vital economic base for the city. When that economic base moves away, the city suffers. No amount of Charedi residents who move in can overcome the devastation caused by a down turn in Jerusalem’s economic viability. The opposite is true.
More welfare recipients plus a reduction in the the tax base is a disaster in the making. The fact is, as the article accurately points out, that Charedim receive a huge proportion of the city’s financial benefits in the form of government subsidies and cities services and contribute the least amount of tax dollars. If there is no tax base, where is the money going to come from to continue providing the vital city services let alone the welfare checks?
I have no problem with Charedim increasing their numbers in Jerusalem. On the contrary I encourage it. But in the process, I would like to see them do it in a way that doesn’t discourage the mass exodus of its primary tax paying citizens. Right now it seems like the modern Orthodox along with the secular are leaving in droves precisely because of their experiences with this Charedization. And as I said, the very character of Jerusalem itself is at stake.
One might ask, well… What about the secular Jews? Why not get rid of the secular Jews from the holy city? What’s wrong with that? Who needs them? !
Terrible attitude.
If I understand correctly, most secular Jews are not anti-religious. They are just secular. Most of them want to just be left alone to live their lives without interference. Many of them feel culturally Jewish. They live their Judaism and even practice some of the rituals. They may not be observant but, they still have a Pesach Seder. They might keep minimally kosher. They might even fast on Yom Kippur. They are what might be called Masorati. Not the Conservative version of that, just … what the name implies: They observe some of what they saw by their parents or grandparents and actually feel good about that. These are the ones who have a chance to be won over to more observance if treated properly.
Yes, there are secular Israelis that are actively anti Torah. But I think most are not… until, they experience a negative religious experience. Then they might become radicalized and anti-Torah. Events like taking over a newly built police station (albeit legally) and turning it into a Charedi kindergarten would tend to do that. That should never have happened.
As for the Modern Orthodox in Jerusalem, there is absolutely no excuse for chasing them out. True, they aren’t doing it by running after them with a shotgun, but they are doing it. Radical events like those described in this article which have also been addressed here are doing exactly that. Beating up women on buses, even if the 'beating' is only verbal let alone physical, will almost certainly chase away the modern Orthodox along with their tax dollars.
What does it accomplish in the end? It radicalizes the city into becoming one of the most extremist religious cities in the world. Jerusalem does not need to be extreme to maintain its character is a holy city. Extremism does not equal holiness. But don’t tell that to some militant Charedim who are intent on taking over the city and making it into their own image by beating up defenseless women on a bus. They frame such actions as a holy obligation. But it is instead an unholy Chilul HaShem. I am not a big fan of Naomi Ragen but I totally agree with her here. In talking about Charedim in Jerusalem she said:
"People here misconstrue Jewish law, radicalize it beyond recognition and call that 'being more religious,' "
What is interesting is that in one sense (if not more) the culture of devout Arab Muslims and that of Charedim are more similar to each other, than are Charedim to the Modern Orthodox. The manner of dress of devout Muslim women and that of the most devout of Charedim are not that dissimilar. The standards of the newly established Charedi Tznius Courts differ little from standards of Tznius courts of radical Muslim cultures in places like Iran.
It is pretty certain that if birth rates and rates influx of devout Muslims and Charedim continue as they are now, the Charedim will outnumber the Modern Orthodox, the Modern Orthodox will outnumber the secular Jews. And the Muslim Arabs will out number everyone! A radicalized Jerusalem… no tax base... greater numbers of welfare recipients... an exodus of moderate Jews... where will they get the money to function at all?
But… not to worry. They can save money by combining Tznius Beis Dins.
