Opinion  Others
Ultra-Orthodox still bilking the public
B. Michael
Published: 27.12.05, 13:10
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1. Another lost jew bashing others...END
(12.27.05)
2. ultra
leora ,   israel   (12.27.05)
The author is advised to get his act together and go on a fact finding mission rather than assaulting the readers with unproven myths and stereotypes that don't wash
3. Say what u want about anyone but dont speak bad of the Torah
Israel   (12.27.05)
4. The same arguement can be made for universtities
Mordechai ,   Boca Raton USA   (12.27.05)
The same arguement can be made for university professors and grad students. How much money gets wasted so anti semitic professors can go around the world opposing Israel's right to exist.
5. Yawn! Isn't it about time you tried to build up instead?
Barry Abish ,   Ramat Aviv   (12.27.05)
So B. Michael is busy "Chareidi-bashing". No problem. They are used to it, and in any case, they don't read this paper. Easy targets. Forget the fact that the governments regularly cut the allocations to haredi kindergartens and grade schools. Has B. Michael written about that? I doubt it. And if B. wanted to make a point, wouldn't it have been better to write about soup kitchens, sick elderly people and battered women's shelters? Nope. That would be positive. Bashing the orthodox is a lot more fun, and does not require B. to risk offending the readers. Too bad B. is jelaous of those who have decided to forsake the pleasures of the modern world, and keep learning in order to keep the Jewish people alive for so many years.
6. Unbefitting for Yediot to publish childish ramblings
Nachm Sanow   (12.27.05)
and pure lies about a whole sector of the Israeli Public. You have plenty of Chareidim that have buisnesses and work and contribute to the Israeli coffers. You also have many Chareidim that have large families and are in need of assistance..... The author needs a good lesson in Yiddishkeit and remember that our existance is nothing but miraculous and we ought thank the almighty every second for his providence over us. Happy Chanuka to all
7. Haraidim
Micha ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.27.05)
G-d bless the haraidim. The are the best hope for this country. Torah is what keeps us Jewish.
8. Bravo
Sharon ,   Haifa, Israel   (12.27.05)
Many thanks for this piece. It is one of the biggest shames I can think of, and the root of many problems we are having in this country.
9. #4 Get help
Sharon ,   Haifa, Israel   (12.27.05)
What planet are you on? You are suggesting to compare products of the average Israeli university to the parasitism and incitement perpetrated by the Haredim? Of all people, you who claim to be concerned about anti-semitism should understand what damage the ultra-Orthodox do to our image and how much we have been saved by the miracles our universities have created. Shame on YOU.
10. B. Michael's Anti-Charedi Article
ZJL ,   Israel   (12.27.05)
For a moment there, I thought I was reading an article in the Strumer by Goebells. These self-hating "Jews" are the cursed Nazi party in our Holy Eretz Yisroel.. My answer to B. Michael is "Shema Yisroel" if he or she isn't familiar with the rest let her or him take the time to find out, instead of festering the self-hatered B. Michael has for the Jewish Nation.
11. The common defense.
Bill Pearlman ,   Chicago, USA   (12.27.05)
I don't know how the budgeting process works in Israel. And the US Congress is hardly a paragon of fiscal rectitude but let me point out two things. One, yeshiva's here don't get government subsidies and yet seem to survive. Second, I see a lot of guys wearing kippa's in the IDF so I don't think that being an observant Jew is an obstacle to contributing to the common defense, at least not with them.
12. haredim
meni   (12.27.05)
those who want to study should be supported by their own community. it is not for the entire tax paying country to support those who do not particpate in the economic activity of the country. i very much think that there is nothing wrong with studying the torah, but it should not be done on the public money. ps -- everyone should go to the army too. weren't the maccabees religious?
13. Anti-Charedi Bashing
Jenny ,   Israel   (12.27.05)
For #9 -- I don't recall ever reading about any Jews attending Universities 900 years ago. Yet all our great and holy Rabbis knew the history of the world and it's function, which they learned from our Holy Torah.... Only today the "limited" minds of the universities acknowledge that fact. What in heavens name do you and your co-students have to be proud of. I am not writing about the peope who attend to learn a professon -seriously to support a family.. I refer to the students such as yourself who march with our enemy for their right to destroy us. Who produce graduates who go around the world writing books about the terrible Israel and their corrupt people. Or produce journalists who seeth with hatered for the Jewish way of life and the Charedim who represnt that life and write about it night and day. Or your "holy" university who produce the "communication" media to poison the public with( their )self-hatered of the Jewish way of life and let it out on the Charedim and the Settlers who love the land. So we have the media (t.v. radio, papers, magazines, movies) the education ministry who will not allow any sort of Jewish study that might give a little pride to the students who so badly need some. Thank G-D that the Charedim are here and can balance out a little of everyday Jewish life against the horrible hatred coming from some of the " enlightened students" from the "god of the universities" which so many people( here )worship. So just shut-up and learn a little about your own self or are you afraid to.
14. I'll like to see B. Michael after 120...
A. Gerwitz ,   Brookyn, NY   (12.27.05)
Your entitled to your opinion. Just remember after 120 you will have to pay for your deeds. Good luck with thinking like yours.
15. Chareidi Bashing
Ken ,   Skokie, USA   (12.27.05)
There is enough Sinat Chinam in the world, so that we do not need more. Of course the story of Chanukah is simply put the desire of secular Jews to convert the religious to their Hellenistic practice. That having been said, please recall that major rabbinic figures like the Rambam had day jobs. The Rambam was a physician. Kollel is primarily Bayn Adam L'Makom. It would be a kiddush Hashem if these students were to contribute to their community by either teaching what they study to others or have any alternate form of employment.
16. Disgusting.
Judah Hakohain ,   Los Angeles   (12.27.05)
The author is a perfect example of WHY Israel is losing. SInah and Jew bashing will unfortunately make Israel all the more weaker.
17. your money and mine
mike ,   gedera   (12.27.05)
Why doesn't the ministry dole out some jobs to all these yeshiva students instead giving them the money collected from hard working tax payers?
18. to #l2
zel ,   Israel   (12.27.05)
Please let us know what the Habima Theater, ALL the TV media , ALL the sport groups and the endless Knesset Members flying off on "official govt. business??" with their do nothing entourage all the time contribute to the society of israel that the poor tax payers money goes to? Do we really need to see Habima produce self-hating plays and degrade the religious? (and that's one of their more good plays). How many newscasters do we need to hear to announce that Sharon is going home from the hospital -every 3 minutes or the Likud convention, which was a colossul waste of 4 or 5 hours time with endless newscasters giving the same tiresome news every 60 seconds. how many weather girls do we need to hear the weather.... rain or shine that's it here in the middle east. and how many brilliant sport players and their managers do we need to hear interviewed for hours at a time after a game. never mind the waste of time on the radio. the horrible music from the filthy mouthed american rock groups on galai zahal and the "high-browed" interviews by the the broadcasters with the very leftest and self-hating politicians.... so tell me what in the heck do they contribute to society - except lias, self-hatred, incrediable wast of time on repetitive news itiems - "scrapping the barrel " hip hop junk that the israeli youth listens to ......all on the backs of the poor suckers of the israeli community's hard earned tax money. the Yeshivas learn Torah which you as an ignorant Jew don't realize keeps us alive - and not Chaim Yanev, or Shelly Yichmovich and the rest of the parasites in Israel..... wise up -- it's time we all did
19. Anger management
AnonyMoshe ,   Edison   (12.27.05)
For a Chanuka present, have your loved one's (if you have any) treat you to some anger management intervention. I have rarely read an article with such hatred and utter contempt for another human being -let alone someone of your own faith (you are Jewish...are you not?). For your health and well being at least take up kick boxing or some other stress reduction method.
20. Does this mean the Arabs get the boot
Nana Stark ,   los angeles, USA   (12.27.05)
B. Michael's logic would lead us to believe that Israeli Arabs are next on the chopping block, after all, they don't serve in the Army, and don't even have the option of alternative service. They just take. And Sharon, if the Hardim are the most disgusting thing to you, then you obviously don't read your own newpapers. It's a real clue about you.
21. What I will spend my 300 on
Haredi Yeshiva Boy ,   Jerusalem   (12.27.05)
Hallucogenic drugs so that I can better understand the incredibly warped mind this guy has, the article makes no sense first he says that we are living below the poverty line (which we are) and then he says we should instead give the money to soup kitchens (the money keeps us out the soup kitchens - idiot) why doesnt tommy lapid give the 3 million shekel his chess club recieved from the government to soup kitchens
22. that's sweting hatred, but....
yoel   (12.27.05)
I have the feeling this article is based on some hatred from the author. I don't know which Haredim he's talking about... But saying that, and if they consider him as a Goy, or "apikoros", maybe he has the right to write this kind of article. Even if based on some disgusting opinions, I need to admit a part of truth: nothing can be produced for the society's benefit just by staying in a Yeshiva and reading. It's an obligation to bring some Parnassa for their family by working, having a job. This is the case for many well-known rebbies like Ezra (Sofer), Haim Benattar (Or Ha'Haim), Maimonide, and the list could be very long.... It's true they cannot claim they have to study, and oblige people who have no faith and no belief to pay for them. This is due to some arrogant behaviour, and if they were more involved in the israeli society, this article would have probably never been written. Saying that, I have to underline that Haredim he is talking about are a minority, and most of the religious people deserve respect for their exemplary way of life, and are models of honesty. Don't forget most of them would invite you for Shabbat dinner if they see you are alone in the synagogue... Personnally, I have some problems only with those people who are used to pray every day for "shivat Tsion" in Yerushalaim's direction. At the same time, they refuse to pray for the State of Israel, and consider themselves as in Galouth.
23. On Bilking
Steve ,   USA   (12.28.05)
B"H The way this article is positioned can be summarized with the quote: "But there is one question, not at all silly, that we must ask: How can these people not be ashamed? Half the population must crawl under the poverty line to light their menorahs. A third of Israel's children have no access to decent education, health care or nutrition" Folks, these students are not rich. A little compassion is definately in order, considering that they are about the only ones who can figure out that ... 1) 5 billion shekels is a lot to pay for smashing up some house and dragging residents from their peaceful homes in exchange for rocket launches. 2) $25 million sheckels is a lot to pay Arabs to pick up rubble of synnagogues they burnt down. 3) 10,000 police assigned to watch a peace protest costs more than a dumpling or two. In light of the total catastrophe of disengagement, I would say that a Channukah bonus is a good-will gesture definately appreciated. Perhaps the NRP with Kadima will look to get many more of these bonuses as a way of distracting from dangerous withdrawls from other Israeli territory, blaming the ultraorthodox for every evil in society in order to distract from far more distructive and expensive aims.
24. Everybody get a grip.
Bill Pearlman ,   Chicago, USA   (12.28.05)
Very rarely have I seen such hatred coming from religous people. The fact is that Israel is a small country that by necessity must maintain a huge military. There is simply not an unlimited amount of money to go around. I'm an orthodox Jew and I have great respect for Torah learning. However, what is more important, a subsidy to a yeshiva or that every IDF combat soldier has the best equipment there is and the IAF has the best planes that can fly. Just because there is waste in other government functions doesn't mean that this is right.
25. You're right, B Micheal. Give it to the PA instead!!
Yonatan ,   Los Angeles   (12.28.05)
26. SHARON HAIFA
DACON9 ,   physician.   (12.28.05)
SO YOU FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE JEWISH PROBLEM. ITS THE ''ULTRA ORTHODOX' LISTEN, THEY SAY THAT GENERIC DRUGS ARE NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS THE DOCTORS PRESCRIPTION. PLEASE ALL YOU WACKOS BUY ONLY THE REAL PROZAC
27. meni (12.27.05)
DACON9 ,   I TRY TO DO GOOD   (12.28.05)
THE MACCABBEES WERE NOT WARRIORS IN THE LEAST . THEY WERE TALMUD SCHOLARS. 'GD' WAS THEIR WARRIOR. GD' WAS THEIR DEFENDER' 'GD' IS IN CONTROL IT IS SAID THAT THE SCHOLARS ARE THE PILLARS OF THE WORLD. TAKE AWAY THE SCHOLAR YOU WILL KILL THE WORLD KING DAVID ALWAYS HAD THE RABBIS THE PROPHET ADVISE HIM. HE NEVER WENT TO WAR WITHOUT A BLESSING AND APPROVAL.
28. Goebbels would be proud
Kyle ,   Southpark, CO, USA   (12.28.05)
Congratulations, YNet, for publishing scheiss that Stormfront will enjoy.
29. Ultra-Orthodox still bilking the public
danny ,   london   (12.28.05)
mr michael,If this article had appeared in any news paper in the u.k the whole country would be up in arms because of its snide anti Semitic tone. Your hatred for the ultra orthodox is shocking and you don’t even pretend not to be biased. The fact that ynet can publish this article just places it in the category of all the other hate filled Nazi sites on the internet…you are why I will not visit Israel ,there is less anti Semitism in London and new York! Shame on you!
30. Poverty
Asher ,   Jerusalem   (12.28.05)
What the anti-semite author forgot to mention is that the Haredim make up a good potion of that third who are below the povery line, instead he chooses to prtray that as high rollers eating the other poor Israelis bread. Maybe he shoul just refer them as Fagin, would be more in line with his line of thought
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