Tel-Chai Nation

A columnist at Israel Hayom makes a valid case why the Haredis, at a time when Covid19 illness is at such a high level, are not suited to represent Judaism, and cannot be allowed to monopolize it:

With all the enormous respect to the Haredi society and its leaders, and maybe because of that respect, the last few days of embarrassing arguments about how synagogues should function during COVID have given us a national mission – to take decisions about synagogues for the public at large out of the hands of the Haredim.

In the public discussion, an argument from Chief Rabbi David Lau and Shas chairman and the most important political leader in Haredi Judaism Aryeh Deri stood out. That argument was that no order could be given to close synagogues, as the public would not follow it because people were demonstrating outside the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem. They are right, but only when it comes to the Haredi public. It's not pleasant to admit, but not even a decision to restrict the Balfour St. protests would have caused many Haredim to forgo prayers in synagogue. Given that, can a decision be made that applies to the general public and puts it in danger on the ground that there is a core of Haredi society that will not comply? Can a sector that does not obey the law determine the rules for everyone?

A crucial point is made that just because the far-left's not obeying the guidelines doesn't mean the Haredi public should follow their example. All that does is suggest they identify with the left on all the wrong issues.

The government needs to realize that the Haredim do not make up all the synagogue-attending pubic, and are far from representing them. Most synagogues in Israel are not Haredi. Most of the people who pray and most of the synagogues are responsible and governable and follow the government's decisions. The State of Israel is the focal point of the Jewish people in this generation, both in terms of identity and practice, and in some senses it is the one who makes the decisions. The state is taking over the historic role of the community as the entity that decides on Jewish public customs, which is why riding bikes is surprisingly not seen as desecration of Yom Kippur, because it's a charming community tradition created here.

Therefore the most important task in preserving Judaism in Israel is for the state to stop letting the Haredim dictate the religious order. Unlike them, the majority of synagogues in the country will follow public health rules and act responsibly. If the authorities decide that to save lives, prayers must not take place inside synagogues, and what we need is social solidarity, worshippers will follow the rules and pray outside.

There too, a vital point. Plus, the Haredis also cannot be allowed to determine custody rights of children based on whether one is religious or not. Nor can they decide who's allowed to become a convert and/or marry.

As this report notes, a lot of Haredis have sadly refused to adhere to any guidelines that could help minimize the damage:

Reports surfaced Tuesday of wholesale flouting of coronavirus restrictions in various ultra-Orthodox cities and neighborhoods, as Israel saw its daily coronavirus deaths per capita surpass those of the United States, and as the number of serious cases passed the 800-mark once cited by health officials as a red line for hospitals.

Israel’s second lockdown, which started on September 18, has been less stringent than the country’s first earlier this year, despite cases and deaths soaring daily. The public has accordingly been reported to be taking a more lax approach to the limitations. Though Israelis largely adhere to mask-wearing and hygiene practices, many have ventured outside and engaged socially despite the closure of much of the economy. A political battle has also been waged over ongoing large-scale demonstrations against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with the Knesset on Tuesday set to ban such protests for the duration of the lockdown.

Tuesday, however, saw a confluence of reports on Haredi violations of health rules that appeared to go beyond the lenient attitude exhibited by some parts of the rest of the public.

In once case, police arrived at a synagogue in the central city of Modiin Illit on Tuesday where they found dozens of worshippers praying together without masks or observing social distancing regulations. Officers broke up the gathering and took five worshipers in for questioning.

Another ultra-Orthodox event broken up by police was held Monday evening in the primarily ultra-Orthodox city of Bnei Brak, with a large gathering of the Vizhnitz Hasidic sect. Videos of the event showed many people close together without masks.

There were sporadic reports of Yom Kippur prayers Sunday evening and Monday being held in crowded gatherings, sans masks, in other locations.

It goes without saying this was reprehensible indeed, so no wonder some of this country may favor putting their enclave neighborhoods under lockdown, not just for safety, but also to serve as a teachable moment.

Labels: haredi corruption, Israel, Judaism, Knesset, Moonbattery