The Haredim: aka the "Ultra-Orthodox"

In Israel there are those who are Jewish, those who are “Jewish-Jewish”, and those who are “Jewish-Jewish-Jewish”. (175). What does this mean? Technically, someone is either Jewish or they are not. However, this description is quoted by a Haredi boy living in Jerusalem who is referring to himself as one who is “Jewish-Jewish-Jewish”. The reference here to being “Jewish” refers to essentially all Jews, no matter what the level of their religious observance. Those who are “Jewish-Jewish” refers to the Orthodox, who live their lives relatively the same way most people do, just with the exception that they are observant of Shabbat, keeping strict kosher, and other limitations that are imposed by the rules of the Torah. Then there are those who are “Jewish-Jewish-Jewish” which refers to the Haredim. The term Haredim translates to one who trembles before G-d. The Haredim live their lives by more than just following the laws of the Torah. They engulf their entire lives and devote themselves to the laws and scriptures of the Torah.

The Haredi men do not have regular jobs with incomes, instead there days are spent learning and studying Torah. As a result, the Haredi women typically will work for an income by doing something that would be permissible under the Haredi way of living. An example would be from Rosenthal’s The Israelis, where the Haredi woman named Sarah sells Sheitles (Yiddish for wigs) for a living. (117). This is permissible because under Haredi customs, as well as most Orthodox, married women are supposed to keep their hair covered in front of anyone other than their husband, as to not stir arousal in other men. They survive primarily on tax exemptions, government grants, and charity organizations. There are many charities, for example, who deliver a large amount of food every late Thursday night to the doorsteps of needy families so that they may have enough food for their large families on Shabbat. In addition, the Haredim are not required to be drafted into the Israeli military, while every other Israeli citizen in Israel is drafted at the age of 18. These are some issues that cause quite a stir amongst Israelis.

These are issues to people because many Israelis feel that there is an imbalance in rights amongst them. The argument is that not only do the Haredim not contribute financially to the overall economy of Israel, but they are being supported by government funds which actually pulls the economy down. And on top of that, they do not serve in the military like everyone else. And on top of that, they do not serve in the military like everyone else. This angers non-Haredim with the argument asking why the Haredim believe that their lives are worth more than everyone else’s. The response of many Haredim is that their praying and learning all day does as much, if even not more, as the soldiers who serve do as a means to protecting the land of Israel and its people.


The Haredim spend almost all their time learning and praying. Their communities are essentially closed off to the rest of the world. Their children play in the street and they have virtually no fear because they know how devout and trustworthy each of their neighbors are. Despite all of this, there is the other side of the Haredim that is surprising since they lead such humble and caring lifestyles. This side is the side anger that comes out when they feel that other Jews are disrespecting them, and disrespecting G-d by not being “good” Jews and following all the commandments. It can be seen on a Shabbat if a car were to drive through a Haredi neighborhood. They will yell, chase after, and throw rocks at the car.

Similarly, just a couple days ago, Haredim led a protest against the computer chip company, Intel. They were protesting against the newly plant that was just built near the Haredi community because the plant is open and running on Shabbat, which is against Jewish law. According to Haaretz, although there are no official negotiations underway as of yet, there is talk that they will come to some form of agreement under the understanding that there will be a limit on the hours worked on Saturdays, as well as the Jewish workers being switched for non-Jewish workers on Saturdays.

Despite all the issues between the Haredim, the other non-religious Israelis, and the government, the Haredi Jews of Israel are one more part of the country that makes it so great and diverse with all kinds of peoples and cultures.



The article from Haaretz.com was written by Nir Hasson and can be found at http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1128392.html.