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| Image from the Jerusalem Post |
But a closer look at what is going on in the Charedi world might be surprising. Things are not always as they appear to be. There is change in the air. Charedim as a whole – regardless of which of the many segments they might belong to - are beginning to work in fields formerly closed to them for lack of secular education. These fields are now opening up to them big time. Mostly in hi-tech and communications. Even thought the vast majority of them had no secular education, they somehow managed to overcome that and catch up. And although they are apparently underpaid compared to their secular counterparts, they nevertheless find success in those industries. By virtue of that, they are actually beginning to integrate into Israeli society as well.
The truth is that they have no choice. Since the establishment of the state in 1948 their population has grown from from being a tiny minority that lives in their own segregated world and could be ignored - to being a twelfth of total population of Israel. And growing rapidly. The Israeli economy can no longer afford to subsidize a population of that size whose men refuse to work.
Unfortunately not all Charedim are able to catch up and find jobs in these industries. I’m pretty sure a sizeable number of them simply cannot make up for the skill they lack and could have gotten with a decent secular curriculum would have give them. Which will surely become an increasingly larger one needing government financial aid. That still needs to change.
But clearly things are improving for a great number of them that can catch up - and do.
The spiritual dangers they fear rubbing off on them because of increased contact with the outside world are still concerning to them. But necessity is the mother of invention. When good minds are available to work for example in hi-tech fields, needs can - and will be accommodated. It has for example become quite common to have Charedi men and women working in high tech –but in different locations – or at least different rooms.
Not that there is anything wrong with a mixed gender environment per se. But if one is not used to an integration of the sexes in the workplace (which Charedim are clearly not), it can be quite distracting and less productive. So they are accommodated. And everybody wins.
This slow and quiet change is a revolution of sorts that is not being fought by the Charedi leadership Not only in the Lithuanian Yeshiva world, but even somewhat in the even more insular Chasidic world.
What this also means is that barriers are beginning to break down as more Charedim enter the workforce and find themselves among secular Jews. As they begin to interact some of the negative stereotypes begin to disappear - each side no longer seeing the other as the devil.
This is a good thing. I’m glad it’s happening to the extent that it is. Although I still believe their educational system needs to improve so that more Charedim can benefit from careers that are now closed to them, at least we have what seems to be a growing number of Charedim that are able to overcome that adversity which not only helps them support them families; contribute to the general welfare, but also become more integrated into society without sacrificing their values.
What about the ‘Torah Only’ Hashkafa that believes that all men should be learning Torah full time for as long as possible? Unfortunately that is still the standard. Their leadership will continue to instill in their people the idea that the best thing any man can do, no matter what his calling, is to study Torah full time. Leaving their wives to carry the primary burden of having and raising a lot of children - as well as supporting the family so that her husband can learn Torah uninterrupted for decades without worry.
Something that I categorically disagree with. I believe God is best served by people pursuing their God given talents and abilities rather than being psychologically straightjacketed willy-nilly into a singular activity.
If their true talents lie in Torah study, that is what they should do. If they don’t and instead lie in some area then they ought not pursue full time Torah study. They should pursue their talents and serve God that way. This of course does not mean abandoning Torah study completely. They should set aside time regular times for that too. But they should not sacrifice their talents doing by doing something full time that they are not best suited for.
That’s me. The Charedi leadership sees the ‘Torah Only’ approach as the best way to serve God. No matter where their talents lie. That is not going to change anytime soon. But at least they are not actively fighting the quiet revolution that seems to be going on. Where more than a few are indeed finding their true talents and using them. At least eventually. The more that happens the better off all of us will be. A good demonstration of this cultural change can be seen in the following 26 minute video. It is well worth watching.