Jewish Scene
Jewish 'modesty patrols' sow fear in Israel
Associated Press
Published: 06.10.08, 07:38
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1. Brava Naomi - all true. Where is the Yiddishkeit in this?
Sheila ,   Jerusalem Israel   (10.06.08)
2. In Iran the religious courts
Sagi ,   Israel   (10.06.08)
sentence young homosexuals or adultrous women to a public hanging ceremony. Could this happen here ?
3. Jewish Modesty Patrols
Millicent ,   Israel   (10.06.08)
What is happening in this country, that a group of radicals are allowed to terrorize others and go unpunished? These radical utlra orthodox/haredi people should be punished for any attacks on people or businesses. What are we as a nation turning into another Iran or Saudi Regime, will these radicals force Jewish women to have their faces covered with only one eye showing like the Saudi Clerics are demanding? They have no right to force their rules and dress codes on anyone else, even in their own communities,unless the people living there do so of their own free will! Gd gave all of us free will, and noone has the right to take that away from us! As for elecrtonic devices, if the Rabbis need to control their people so much then tell them it is forbidden to own them, but don't destroy the stores that sell them!
4. # 1
Sagi ,   Israel   (10.06.08)
That strange word you used is archaic just as are the folks who adhere to it. The word and its practices belong to another era and other places. In that era and in those places terrible things happened to our People. Forget we must not, but we must not revive or perpetuate. We are "Israelis" and not "Yids".
5. Where are the police??? Where is the IDF?
Steve ,   Australia   (10.06.08)
When these psychopaths are assaulting women, setting fire to stores, and behaving like Palestinians by throwing stones at cars, WHERE ARE THE AUTHORITIES? Israel is a country with some of the best special forces military and police units. Sayeret Matkal and Yamam are respected around the world. Israeli police and soldiers have arrested thousands of armed terrorists. So why is it that the government tolerates this? I guarantee you that if these people are faced with a huge police response, including, if necessary, the use of hundreds of riot control officers, the psychos will back down.
6. "Modesty patrols"
Philhau ,   Zurich   (10.06.08)
Totally against halacha and the law, and they are not enjoying the support they are said within the community. so where is the police????
7. Meshuggas
Yehuda ben Yisrael ,   Lisboa, Portugal   (10.06.08)
Beautiful, just beautiful... What next? Will they also control Sefardis, Italians, Bukharians, Yemenites, Banu Yisrael, etc... because their clothes and customs are not similar to them? Give me a break, idiotas... Thanks a lot, bunch of schlemiehls, for defining who's a Jew or not... But it's thanks to the secular "sinners" that your skin is safe from the usual pogroms since 60 years ago. Our people is ancient and new, but let you be aware: essenes, saducees, zealots, etc... tried to put rules on our people and where are they? Vanished..., you will grow, certainly, but endogamy will take care of you. Heaven save our people of your lunatic behavior, i'm descedant of the ancient jews of sefarad and i have reasons to write what i've written.
8. The question should be ......
Hiram ,   Gstaad   (10.06.08)
Why would not it be like Iran ? We have managed to put together all the right conditions to find ourselves in this situation. In Israel, like in many neighboring countries, religious extremism has been the cause for both social and economic problems. In israel like in neighboring countries, the government has been totally unable to sustain political stability without composing with religious extremists, and on many occasion, subsidizing them. Lets not complain ! Lets change things around : secularize, split the religious aspect from the secular and things will get better. Religious zealots should not be allowed to have their own law.....Successives governments have bought their perks and expenses by accepting religious extremists in their coalition....we pay the price of this tolerance today. Zealots are today's Mollahs of Israel. Check history to find out what did happen to zealots in Moshe's time !!!!
9. Time to say the truth
Ze'ev ,   Haifa   (10.06.08)
Haredi community does not cooperate with police and the state. You should read about a haredi man cooperating with tax authorities being beaten and threatened as he was declared "moiser". Just as with Arabs haredi can't spit on police and then ask for its help.
10. Sagi
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (10.06.08)
A little bit Yiddishkeit is always welcome . Every Israeli Jew , or Yid , should have a basical knowledge of the Jewish religion . Be they seculars as i am or anti religion as you are .
11. Send them to Tehran where they belong
Avi ,   Ramat Gan   (10.06.08)
"They do not accept the rules of the game - equal work, equal pay and equal duties. They said, 'No, we have a special status in which we do not work and we do not pay taxes and we do not defend the country; you defend it for us,"
12. Just a bit of exaggerated. Every socity has its extreemests
Rebecca ,   Modiin   (10.06.08)
I'm not supporting this behavior, but these are the exceptions. Most Hardim mutter and turn away, as do most of us when we see something we disapprove of. We're no-where near Iran....And if Hardim do not co-operate with the law, that is at least in part because the law seldom supports Hardim. Often the police are secular and treat the Hardim like dirt. Would you co-operate with someone who does not treat you properly?
13. We had this article not so long ago
Talula ,   Israel   (10.06.08)
Summary: Everyone agreed the Haredim are sick evil zealots who, because they have so much time on their hands, must be enlisted in the IDF post haste. After reading this article I understand how easy it is for them to swing a helpless animal around and abuse it. What a joke – they run around beating up people and tearing down shops then use a helpless animal to ‘’transfer their sins’’. These Plebs cannot be called humans – they have absolutely NOTHING that links them to Homo sapiens – nothing at all.
14. #12 Just a little bit
Areilush ,   Ramat Ha Golan   (10.06.08)
That's easy for you to say, but would you be saying that if you were assaulted or if your shop was trashed. If the Haredim do find this to be an embarrassment, the community should do it's best to help the police put a stop to this thuggery. These hooligans should be prosecuted and punished by a modern court of law not the Rabbinic court.
15. As long as they stick to their own turf...
Dorothy Friend ,   Tel Aviv   (10.06.08)
...maybe it will keep them too busy to bother everyone else.
16. #14 Yep! I second that!!!
Talula ,   Israel   (10.06.08)
17. Jewish world Haredim
Jeroen   (10.06.08)
I really wonder how god fearing the haredim are who don't mind using violence. I think God is powerfull enough and almighty to defend Himself. He doesn't need Haredim (people) to help him. First, people need to love God with all their heart, soul and mind and secondly they need to love eachother like they love themselfs. People who are not living according Gods will can only be convinced and won for Him by showing love. What is the point of living according Gods will anyway? Is that good for God or is that good for people? What does people archieve by it? Haredim who are using violence are working for God and not with God. They are the ones with a problem.
18. modesty patrols
josie ,   jerusalem, israel   (10.06.08)
As a modern orthodox Jewess I am totally in agreement with the spirit of the article (why do they make the women sit at the back of the bus?) there are inaccuracies, especially regarding Rabbi Amar's son who in recent years was not even religiously observant. As in any reporting there is probably only about 50% of truth in what has been written and very often things are quoted out of context.
19. The photograph says it all
Talula ,   Israel   (10.06.08)
Poverty and hopelessness - What a slum. You'd think they would try and improve their surroundings instead of making it look like a demilitarized zone. This also is of no interest to them - all they are concerned about is immoral behaviour - and I think that is because they are so desperately depraved themselves that they cannot bear the thought of anyone else getting it on. They are all in denial. They are a bunch of self righteous hooligans
20. #10 Charles
Kim ,   Israel   (10.06.08)
The term 'Yid' is a vile derogatory word. Don't use it if you don't understand what it means.
21. #13 Talual - Haradim dont run around and are not all plebs
Rebecca ,   Modiin   (10.06.08)
This is what i mean by exaggeration. Most of the Hardim who are studying spend unbelievable hours learning. An article recently said how well they do in University studies despite having NO secular education - because they are used to spending long hours studying, are fast learners and are analytically superior to those from a secular education. That being said - their extremest are unacceptable. And to #11 I find most Israelis treat the law as a suggestion and are extremely rude when you suggest they uphold it. Lord help anyone who works in a tax office here.
22. I invite you . . .
Shalom   (10.06.08)
come have a look at a normal hareidi society. Come look at Modiin Elite for example, where seculars come and shop and visit the clinics, banks etc, on a daily basis. There has never been even ONE incident of violence. Why should there be - it's not Torah!
23. 20 - charles uses the term affectionately
mike ,   israel (formerly usa   (10.06.08)
just like charles calls me a goy, it's because we are such good pals and he's just trying to wind me up sometimes. i know he means it in the best possible way, so don't think he's being mean or ugly with it, right charles old buddy old pal? please correct me if i'm wrong.
24. Haredi Hypocrisy
Grant Thomas ,   Brookfield, WI, USA   (10.06.08)
We just returned from a tour of Israel, and I must say that Jesus had it right when he called the Pharisees and Sadducees "hypocrites and a brood of vipers". There were three Haredi families on the return flight who left their section of the plane in a shambles. Their children just torn it up while the three men sat in their prayers shawls, wearing their phylactories, rocking back and forth, and ignored the havoc their children created. We saw this types at the Wailing Wall wear two phylactories thinking that somehow they could avoid God's judgement by their own efforts. Turn to the Messiah before it's too late and stop the stupid self-righteous showmanship!
25. Don't blame police, they're busy beating Jewish protesters
shneerhere   (10.06.08)
26. #24 To Grant: Hypocrisy No
Arielush ,   Ramat Ha Golan   (10.06.08)
To Grant, Is your terminology correct. I see it differently. They are completely intolerant to anyone outside their fold It's as though the world is divided into us and them. I've seen them on planes and buses. They act like they are entitled to the first place on the bus and the front of the queue. They can step on and disturb others but won't tolerate disturbance. It's not hypocrisy, its ugly intolerance and uncouthness. As I see it, they have a lot to pray for on Yom Kippur.
27. #21 Rebecca
David ,   USA   (10.06.08)
What is the purpose of much learning? How is it reflected in the lives of those who learn? What does it do for society? Is it revealed in love for brother and fellow man? Is HaShem honored in the behavior of those who are doing all this great learning? Is Israel being advanced and gaining respect in the world by all this great learning? Is it evil that is being wiped out by all this learning or is it freedom that is being wiped out? We have Torah She'baal-peh which adds restrictions to great for man to endure without losing their minds, which produces the kind of hatred and violence we see going on between the Haradi and others and all the hate it produces. Then we have Torah She'bich-tav which teaches us love for one another. Where should we be looking for all our great learning? You choose! Methinks the answer is obvious, however, fanaticism will endure.
28. Modesty patrols
Tuvia Schertzman ,   Betar Ilit   (10.06.08)
If people are really afraid, they can always carry pepper spray, and a camera, a tape recorder. A police complaint can always be filed. A whole group of good people were driven away from their homes on Maale Amos by fake Charedim who make believe they are the real thing. This destroyed the building of Eastern Gush Etzion and jeopardized all of the Gush. Not to mention the ruining of people's lives. THIS ISSUE MUST BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY
29. Kim
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (10.06.08)
Orthodox Jews called me : a faine Yid . And they had'nt any reason to insult me , i just helped them . In Yiddish a Yid is a Yid , nothing derogatory in it . And if you see something derogatory in Yid , you need a help to heal your paranoia .
30. Talula , again your hate !
Charles ,   Petach Tikva   (10.06.08)
...the Haredim are sick evil zealots ... you wrote . If you had written : SOME Haredim.....i would agree , as every normal person can . But THE , that means ALL . No Talula , there are GREAT Charidim , people who contribute to our country , and i only hope for you that Zaka , Ezer Mitsion and other Yad Sarah , will never need to help you .
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