Haredi Jews, or Ultra-Orthodox Jews, refers to a socio-religious demographic of Jewish people that follow strict interpretations of Torah, halachah (Jewish traditions) and rabbinical decrees.
Haredi Jews are not a monolithic group, and have many ideological beliefs and differences sect to sect. Some characteristics that are often shared are cultural. Haredi Jews often wear old shtetl-style black and white clothing with distinct hats, have large families with a focus on the family unit, and live in neighbourhoods with predominantly Haredi families.
Ideologically, haredi Jews vary on zionism, but often believe in separation of genders in public spaces, are against public life and works on shabbat, and are often antagonistic to many manifestations of technology. Haredi youth are expected to learn Jewish scriptures in Yeshivas until they are married.
There are about 1.8 million haredi Jews in the world, many living in Europe, the United States, and Israel. In Israel Haredim make up about 12% of the population. There are haredi parties in the Israeli Knesset, such as Shas, United Torah Judaism, Noam, and Yachad.
One conflict between haredi Jews and other cleavages in Israeli society is military service. In the past there have been protests against the conscription of haredi men into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Laws have previously been passed to compromise and preclude haredi men from conscription. Another point of contention has in the past been haredi representation in the workforce, but the number of haredi Jews integrating into the workforce has been increasing.
Wearing his trademark suspenders and red eyeglasses, the avuncular journalist planted himself for several months in Mea She’arim, the quintessentially haredi Jerusalem neighborhood.
After recently spending an entire year living in Mea She’arim, where they found themselves on October 7, the Tenneboms are back in Jerusalem for the English publication of Careful, Beauties Ahead!
Themes of failure, insecurity, courage, rising to new heights, and self-confidence are explored throughout this book.
The Sephardi chief rabbi complained about hesder yeshiva leaders who had criticized his comments about the IDF.
While US support of Israel stands strong, these sanctions will threaten to undermine the close cooperation between the two countries.
A haredi rabbi, Harvard graduate, law doctoral student, and IDF reservist: Interior Minister Moshe Arbel presents a complex picture.
We should insist that even religious or ultra-Orthodox individuals should be able to express their support for the release of the hostages.
Haredi survivors of sexual abuse issue a public call to their fellow victims to go public with the truth.
The tragedy is that ultimately, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lied to himself. Netanyahu, the conservative political realist, has entered into a phase of delusional fantasy.
"But honestly, we aren't able to serve in the military. Because, without Torah, a Jewish community would not exist," he said. "And I believe that Torah protects us even more than the military."
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