Jewish Scene
Haredim launch battle against human body exhibit
Kobi Nahshoni
Published: 22.03.09, 19:46
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1. Amazing!
Alex ,   San Diego, CA   (03.22.09)
I went to see the exhibition in Los Angeles back in 2005 and it was simply amazing and very interesting. My experience there re-affirmed my astonishment at how complex our bodies are. A MUST SEE!!!
2. Revolting - this is not art, science or nothing!
hana levi   (03.22.09)
3. This is pure evil
adam eliyahu   (03.22.09)
Where do you draw the line? What if a restaurant ran a special on serving human organs for a special meal (Of course, the people wouldn't be killed or harvested for the organs. It could even serve as an income for their widows and orphans)? To consider it artisticaly expressive to gaze upon dead humans is just evil.
4. cheradim need to take it easy a little
jake ,   nyc, us   (03.22.09)
5. Oh stop
Eric ,   Israel   (03.22.09)
This is no different than what one can see at the Egyptian pyramids. Its educational to learn about our bodies. My only question is where the bodies came from. If there were executed in China as the article suggests then they should be laid to rest. I have no problem with this though if someone signs a release prior to death as some do with organs.
6. For a change, I'm with the rabbis on this one.
Nick Sporek ,   Jerusalem Israel   (03.22.09)
Talk about morbid. There's enough death all around us, why would anyone deliberately want to import it? If you want death, go to Yad V'shem or something. If you want to know how the body works, watch a documentary or read a book.
7. Some people in Israel insist in drag everybody in deep crap
Keren ,   Israel-SP   (03.22.09)
It is simply OBVIOUS that such an abomination can't take place in Israel! This would only be appreciated by some pals ,since that's their "artistic" language and is compatible to their quite bizarre sinister souls. Jews will never accept such thing! Please,cancel this sinister,evil ,very evil thing!
8. I'm not haredi
Seth Greenberg ,   Ra'anana, Israel   (03.22.09)
I'm not haredi. I generally try to keep an open mind. But out of respect for the dead, Israel (and my taxes) should not take part of this morbid spectacle. Yesterday, Haifa was fortunate to have avoided a tragedy when police diffused an Arab car bomb next to a crowded shopping mall. We have more than our share of dead bodies in this part of the world. Don't these bodies deserve proper burial? If this were an educational exhibit, would these bodies be playing cards or holding guitars? Just as free speech has its limits, so must art. Otherwise, society will degrade into anarchy and dignity will become a thing of the past.
9. Obscene and degrading
Marcella   (03.22.09)
This type of "science" or "art" or whatever it wishes to be called, should not be allowed at all. Not to be created and not to be exhibited. It degrades humanity and the people whose parts are being used for this freak show. This is clearly a moral challenge for the morally-bankrupt government of Israel and its leftists supporters. How will they respond?
10. Haredim are right this time
Hiloni ,   Brooklyn   (03.22.09)
There are other ways to learn about human anatomy without putting on this kind of exhibit. Moreover, there have been concerns raised that the cadavers that are being displayed are taken from condemned prisoners from the Chinese penal system who did not necessarily give their consent to have their bodies displayed in such mocking poses. Most of the people viewing the exhibit will go for the shock value.
11. I saw the exhibit
nr ,   los angeles, usa   (03.22.09)
in Los Angeles - as part of my physiology class extra credit and was really disgusted by the whole thing. I left early - couldn't handle all the dead people. Can't say I learned anything from it either. I have to agree with the rabbaim - the use of bodies like this is disrespectful. Frankly, all the men were circumcised, which had to be added on becaused the bodies were completely skinned, and that bothered me the most - thinking that these poor people were either Jews or Muslims, neither of which group would allow this. My advice: Give this exhibit a pass.
12. The rabbi's are right
(03.22.09)
This is sick and twisted. Kick them out of Israel
13. ALL DEAD MUST BE BURIED ... ASAP.... JEWISH LAW
ROLAND SEENER ,   LONDON ENGLAND   (03.22.09)
JEWISH LAW DICTATES THAT ALL DEAD MUST RETURN TO DUST FROM WHENCE IT CAME.AND BE BURIED .THIS EXHIBITION IS AN AFFRONT TO JEWISH SENSITIVITIES AND NEEDS TO BE REDRESSED. BY BEING BANNED HERE..
14. Really gross.
Debbie ,   Jerusalem   (03.22.09)
When I saw the pictures of this exhibit in the papers, I nearly threw up. This really is disgusting. Bury these people with dignity!
15. If they aren't Jews and they aren't marrying any Jews...
(03.22.09)
then according to coalition talks agreements there should be no problem with this exhibition!
16. If the Charideem are against it, it must be good
Avi ,   Rannana   (03.22.09)
Well then it must be worth seing ! where can we get tickets?
17. What sort of sick humans want to see something like this?
rebecca ,   modiin   (03.22.09)
It's gruesome. If I want to see a human playing a guitar I'd go see a live concert, or a picture of the beetles. Real humans can be seen playing cards anywhere. This is revolting. I'm with the Charadim on this one.
18. Is There Anything The Haredim Actually
Lawrence ,   Safed Israel   (03.22.09)
Approve of? Whether it is an erotic ,private show in Carmiel,or desegregated buses or el-al airlines ,the Hareidim will moan.
19. Haredim Seem To Have Too Much
Lawrence ,   Safed Israel   (03.22.09)
time on their hands,perhaps they should try working for a living and leaving the rest of us in peace...a novel concept I know.
20. just bodies
(03.22.09)
get over it already.
21. opportunityToUnderstand
Yaacob ,   Toronto Canada   (03.22.09)
I hope Israel will not cave in to religious fundamentalism. The exhibition is an opportunity for learning and enlightenment. Fundamentalism, whether Jewish, Islamic or Christian, maintains its strength through ignorance and fear. Knowledge is power. The Haredim prey on the weak, narrow minded and superstitious. This exhibition should be presented in Israel. People should have the opportunity to understand what we are.
22. Not just Hareidim.
Michael ,   Galut   (03.22.09)
I'm certainly not Hareidi and I "slam" this. You know, there's nothing illegal about artists publically eating human organs that were donated in the name of art. However, artists should certainly be prevented from doing that. Same for gazing upon pieces of people's dead bodies.
23. Television Advertisements
Shaul ,   Sheboygan   (03.23.09)
When this freak show was in town I didn't go. Be advised: the TV commercials are nauseating enough. And you see them EVERY DAY for months and months.
24. I saw this exhibit in Chicago, about 3 years ago...
Etoile ,   Montreal, Canada   (03.23.09)
It was absolutely disgusting. I wanted to see it because I was studying anatomy in High School and had a facination with the workings of the human body. Instead of what I thought would be a professional showing of human anatomy, I found an exhibit that only a sick mind could enjoy. To all in Israel who are curious about this exhibit , my advice is pass to it up. It is not worth it. There is a difference between examination of bodies, under proper conditions, in the interest of education. And then there is morbid desecration of the dead. Whether or not you agree with the Haredim, they are 100% right on this issue.
25. This "exhibit" is completely disgusting....
Andy ,   ramat hasharon   (03.22.09)
and NOBODY knows where these bodies came from. A "release" produced by the Chinese is as believable as the stories coming out of the Hamas in Gaza. Complete lack of dignity for anybody who would go see this disgraceful thing.
26. #14 - Nicely put.
Andy ,   ramat hasharon   (03.22.09)
27. Anyone With A Body Will Find This Fascinating
RickD ,   USA   (03.23.09)
I saw it in the US and the exhibit is fascinating. You will automatically compare the bodies in the exhibits to your own and learn something. A woman standing near me was telling her companion 'look, I don't have one of those.' She was pointing to a gall bladder. Anyone with the slightest curiosity about the universe around them will learn something. The bodies are not displayed in an insulting manner. Regarding the bodies doing things like playing cards or guitar, they have to be doing something. Seeing them in lifelike poses allows you to see how the muscles are used when doing normal everyday activities. I recommend that you bring your own body when you go see the exhibit.
28. Choice
Shimon ,   Cincinnati, USA   (03.23.09)
Seems to me that people wishing to see the exhibit should buy a ticket and go. People who don't, shouldn't be forced to go. People who wish to go shouldn't be told they can't. The religious control freaks have no obligation to go, and should just mind their own business and take care of their own souls. Since no one appointed nor elected them guardians of anything, let them deal with it or move to Mozambique. Who needs the Taliban, anyway?
29. Even walking through a cemetery was forbidden for a High
Rivkah   (03.22.09)
Priest in the Jewish Bible. Coming into contact with a dead human body made a person unclean and needful of ritual purification. So I hope people skip the mummy museums. I made the mistake of going to a King Tut exhibit in Chicago and that brought a curse on my life in many ways. I had to take human anatomy in college with human cadavers that were donated, but I sure wouldn't go to an exhibit to see the dead in unsanctified poses. Going to funerals with the body in a casket in a reverent pose is hard enough. I remember when my great uncle Will was on display in a coffin in his home which was the old way of receiving visitors for a funeral before the burial instead of in a funeral parlor. It was terrifying to see someone I loved so much, dead. Closed casket funerals are more endurable. But to have dead bodies in naked poses for artwork is too close to the Nazi human lampshade era.
30. Christian thanks Haredim
John ,   Washington State   (03.23.09)
As an Eastern Orthodox Christian, I am deeply grateful for the principled stand of Haredim against this abomination. Human beings are miracles, made in the image of God. Ultimately, to display the dead in this disrespectful, unloving fashion brings us all a firm step closer to the next era of crematoria - human beings as complex, clever piles of meat, to be disposed of as future technocrats and social engineers see fit. This exhibit harmonizes well the National Socialist, eugenicist vision of the 1930s. If you want to see man as he is in truth, seek him through God, not stinking of formaldehyde.
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