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| A typical Charedi elementary school classroom |
There were people during the days of the Beis HaMikdash that used to only eat food that was on that level of purity – even when that food was not sacrificial and not really susceptible to remote spiritual impurity. They called it eating food Al Taharas HaKodesh. They wanted to live their lives in the highest level of purity even though it was not required of them in the slightest way.
The Charedi world sees itself this way. And this is what they impart to their students. They pepper many of their speeches and lectures by urging their young to live their lives Al Taharas HaKodesh.
One might say that this is truly an admirable goal. After all, why not strive for perfection in our spiritual lives? Does it not show God just how much we cleave to Him by living our lives beyond the letter of the law?
The problem with that attitude is that in instills an attitude of superiority over everyone else. If you are not part of the ‘club’, you are simply not religious enough. And that can lead to disastrous results.
Last night, I was informed about a bullying incident at a Pirchei (Agudath Israel’s youth division) Siyum Mishnyos. Students from all the day schools in Chicago are invited to participate in the study of the six orders of Mishnayos. When it is completed, there is a celebration of ‘completion’ that usually includes a Seudah (meal) called a Siyum.
Pirchei used a camp facility outside of Chicago to have this event. At some point a group of students from day schools that have been indoctrinated to believe that they are the holiest of Jews ganged up on a student from a day school that does not engage in such hyperbole. And they apparently beat him up because he was not religious enough.
I want to make clear that bullying is not the sole province of Charedi schools. Bullying has many fathers. There are a variety of reasons why one becomes a bully. Unfortunately it exists in all schools. But what is the sole province of Charedi schools is what they are taught about their worth as compared to everyone else. That they used that as an excuse to beat up an innocent child from a school they perceive to be beneath them is clear. This is the message they receive from their teachers. They are better. They live their lives Al Taharas HaKodesh. And everyone else? To a young child the answer might be worthless, not even worthy of being called religious.
Now this doesn’t usually end with beating up a child from another school. These kids were bullies. On the other hand when one is constantly told how superior they are in comparison to everyone else, it isn’t all that difficult for a young mind to think they can treat others as subhuman.
So even though there are deep seated reasons why someone becomes a bully that are unrelated to what is taught in a school, there is not a doubt in my mind that the Charedi Hashkafos of ‘Al Taharos HaKodesh contribute to it. When a child is taught that he is the greatest, there can be no sense of humility. There can be no sense of others having any real value compared to themselves Only Bnei Torah who by definition live Al Taharas HaKodesh are worthy of such high praise. Others are therefore not worthy of any respect. Only ridicule and derision. Followed (in the case of bullies) by tormenting them - both mentally and physically - as was the case at that Siyum.
Let me co-opt those that will accuse me of bashing Charedim. Yes, I am a Centrist. I am not a Charedi (as they define the term). I subscribe to a philosophy of moderation and tolerance. I do not judge people by their level of religiosity. This is how I raised my children… and why I sent them to a centrist elementary school.
But at the same time I have absolutely no issue with those who choose a more right wing Hashkafa. I have no issue with people that chose a Charedi lifestyle; take upon themselves many Chumros; insulate themselves from outside influences; and send their children to more right wing schools. My criticism is not about how right wing they are. It is about their schools teaching their children how holy they are compared to everyone else.
You can’t keep telling your students how great they are by living their lives Al Taharas HaKodesh without instilling a sense of devaluing those who do not. I know that this is not the intent of Charedi teachers. But they in effect teach their students to be arrogant. Bullies from a Charedi school can then use that as an excuse to beat up a student from a 'less religious' school.
And what can happen to a child that experiences constant bullying? Going OTD or worse is certainly a possibility. That should certainly make it food for thought.