Dozens of Haredi schools continue to operate in violation of regulations, amid limited police enforcement of regulations in towns with large ultra-Orthodox communities
The Tragedy for Haredim from COVID has Created a Crisis for Judaism Itself
They fear that if they shut down their educational institutions, they will lose an entire generation of young men to Judaism. They believe that learning Talmud and Torah is more precious even than life itself.
Melanie Phillips, a British journalist, broadcaster and author, writes a weekly column for JNS. Currently a columnist for “The Times of London,” her personal and political memoir, “Guardian Angel,” has been published by Bombardier, which also published her first novel, “The Legacy.” Go to melaniephillips.substack.com to access her work.
Melanie Phillips, a British journalist, broadcaster and author, writes a weekly column for JNS. Currently a columnist for “The Times of London,” her personal and political memoir, “Guardian Angel,” has been published by Bombardier, which also published her first novel, “The Legacy.” Go to melaniephillips.substack.com to access her work.
Police operate to enforce lockdown in Bnei Brak, January 21, 2020 (Israel Police)
Ultra-Orthodox politicians on Friday raged at police after major clashes broke out overnight in Bnei Brak between cops and rioters opposed to lockdown rules, with police in turn saying that officers were “brutally attacked.”
The skirmishes, which began Thursday night and continued into the predawn hours of Friday morning, came after a mob in the predominantly Haredi city injured a police officer on patrol.
At least six people were arrested for disturbing public order and police said seven officers were injured.
The rioting was condemned by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed to act with a “heavy hand” against those who violated lockdown rules and assaulted police, but his ultra-Orthodox political allies lashed out at police over the rioting.
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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