The Haredim- Heros or Hethans?

The Haredim are often considered to be ultra orthodox "God fearing" Jews and the pinnacle authority on living life according strictly to the Torahs teachings. The Haredims strict adherence to the Torah and ancient Judaism have earned them a reputation for being very affiliated with ritual, prayer, and sacrifice. "Haredi Judaism places heavy emphasis on ritual as a way of getting closer to God. Haredim think about how they perform nearly every act, from preparing food to washing hands before eating to making love on a Friday night, because each act is a spiritual link to God." (Rosenthal, 179) While the Haredim are considered by most to be holy figures who help their fellow Jews in Israel by means of charitable acts ranging from helping the disabled to cleaning up carnage after a suicide attack, the Haredim are also attributed as being arrogant, sheltered, social parasites who receive most of their income from subsidizing their fellow Jews tax dollars. So this begs the question: Are the Haredim charitable hero's trying to preserve the core values of Judaism or ambiguous, arrogant, social leeches?

The Haredim pride themselves on their very literal practice of the Torah. Some of the practices seem arbitrary and strange to Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike. Haredim men show no affection for their wives in public; Hand holding or verbal affection is prohibited. (Rosenthal, 182-183) Strict adherence to what is and isn't considered koshur effects purchasing choices for Haredim, ranging from a chicken for dinner to detergent used for laundry. (Rosenthal, 182) Haredim use some modern appliances but avoid popular devices like television and computers (largely because of the Internet). This suggests that the Haredim are not against the use of technology but are against tools that can be used to "poison ones soul," and draw a Haredim away from Ultra Orthodox influence and study. (Rosenthal, 188)

The Haredim seem to hold a grudge against outsiders to their communities including non Ultra Orthodox Jews. Haredim seem to consider themselves "real" Jews and Orthodox and secular Jews as seemingly "lesser" Jews. This is evident by the fact that on the Sabbath when Jews are not supposed to use technology or anything that may be considered "kindling a fire" Haredim Jews may ask a "lesser" Jew to turn on a light or push a button for a Haredim Jew. This suggests that a Haredim will not sin but will ask a "lesser" Jew to sin in their stead. This depicts a sense of arrogance surrounding Haredim.

Haredi "Shabbat cops" police Bar Ilan Street for people who drive cars on the day of the Sabbath. They will throw a variety of objects at people disobeying the Sabbath ranging from rocks to dirty diapers. To throw a dirty diaper suggests an elevated level of preparation in protesting; Clearly the Haredim are deeply offended by those who break Jewish religious law. These actions give rise to a great deal of irony. The Haredi ridicule "lesser" Jews, yet, they rely on these Jews to protect them via the armed forces and also to support them by means of government subsidizes. Haredi Jews are not required to join the Israeli Defense Force like the rest of the population because Haredi Jews insist that it will interfere with their religious studies. Also because of their intense religious studies, most Haredi Jews make poverty incomes and rely on tax dollars to survive. Many of the non Ultra Orthodox Jews recognize these issues and shun the Haredim as ungrateful outcasts who don't contribute. Since the "lesser" Jews are protecting and supporting the Haredi, why do the Haredi look down upon the other Jews that they depend on for so much? In their defense, the Haredi claim that they use prayer as their weapon and are therefore helping the IDF just as much as if they were in its ranks. On the other hand, it can be argued that the enemies that the IDF face are praying just as hard for a IDF defeat and that prayer is not an effective weapon.

Video depicting Haredi culture. Notice the boy hiding from the likely "Outsider" camera man, clearly portraying a isolationist practice in Haredi culture. Also note the extreme measures that Haredi will take to further their religious agenda by torching a pork vendor and a crematorium.