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Jan. 22, 2021
For most of the period since the coronavirus pandemic began, the main discourse concerning the pandemic in ultra–Orthodox media and social networks was directed outward: the secular media that was “persecuting” the Haredim, the police that were conducting “selective enforcement” and violations of regulations by secular Israelis during anti-Netanyahu protests.
But recently, there has been evidence of a change. The record–high morbidity, the frequent funerals, and most of all, the reports of young women, some in advanced stages of pregnancy, who are hospitalized in serious condition, seem to be having an effect.
More and more voices in Haredi circles are calling for self-reckoning in the community, that members look within and admit regret. Senior Haredi leaders’ remarks in prviate conversations have been unusually resolute. No one is pointing a finger directly at specific rabbis and Hassidic rebbes (admors) this is still a red line for every Ha