Changing the Charedi Attitude about the State of Israel

Violent protests continue (Jerusalem Post)

As the clashes between Charedi protesters and the police in the Charedi areas of Israel continue, it actually doesn’t surprise me that they are being condemned by so many Charedi and other rabbinic leaders. That their words will fall on deaf ears is also not surprising. The violent protest of government COVID restrictions continue. You would have to be a complete imbecile or the incarnation of pure evil NOT condemn those violent protests.

What’s missing is dealing with the underlying cause of this problem. I am talking about changing the kind of rhetoric that feeds these criminals. This is something I talk about all the time – as recently as yesterday. Unless and until these same rabbinic leaders tackle that issue, violent protests like these will not only continue, they will likely grow. Both in size and intensity. Increasing the Chilul HaShem. Not to mention increasing the danger to human life. 

The Charedi leadership needs to forever stop vilifying the government; treating it as ‘the enemy’. They need to do a 180 and support the government of Israel fully – even as they disagree with them on issues important to them. These are not 2 contradictory things. 

Additionally, in the future any rabbinic leader that does vilify the government he should be put into Cherem. There can be no equivocating.  No exceptions. No ifs, ands, or buts. 

I know Charedi leaders don’t agree with Zionism.  But they don't have to agree with it. They just have to stop treating it as anti Torah. Past accusations about Zionism destroying Judaism are no longer true - if they ever were. Today, most (but unfortunately not all) of mainstream politicians do not think that way. The mere fact that Charedi leaders now run candidates to serve in that Keneset is in and of itself at least a tacit admission of that. They need to say it out loud!  

Charedi leaders need to transmit to all of their constituents that they no longer see the government as anti Torah. And that even the new draft laws which they so strongly protest should be understood NOT to be anti Torah. 

They need to accept that they are part of society even while staying strongly committed to their way of life. And show a willingness to contribute in other than spiritual ways.

They can pursue all of their goals to their hearts content. They need not give up seeking to serve the needs of their constituency through government institutions and programs. But the enmity has to stop. They need to respect the institutions and symbols of the Israeli government. Like the flag; and legal observances and holidays. They should take a cue from the R’ Yosef Kahaneman who raised the Israeli flag over his Yeshiva (Ponevezh) and did not say Tachanun on Yom Ha'atzmaut - 

They need to show pride in country. Perhaps most of all, they need to publicly express gratitude to the military for protecting them. And more importantly honor those that sacrificed their lives doing it.  On this - they would do well to take a cue from R' Chaim Shmulevitz who publicly thanked the IDF at a Seudas Hoda'ah for protecting his Yeshiva (Mir)  after one of Israel’s many wars.

 Furthermore, they need to reject those that refuse to do any of this and - as I said - ostracize them from the community. If enough Charedi leaders do this, it might have an impact. One thing for sure. Condemning the riots without examining the underlying causes and effectively dealing with them is an utter waste of time.