Culture  Health&Science
Report: Ultra-Orthodox in Israel healthier, live longer
Rotem Elizera
Published: 23.12.15, 23:44
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1. makes sense too
Jake ,   Jerusalem   (12.24.15)
Orthodoxy is based on Torah and Mitzvot and includes a big emphasis on social contacts. Secular life is based on making money and enjoying it (if you have it). If you don't have it, so you are on the bottom - and how many really have so much money that they can really 'enjoy' life alone without good friends? Rather, life is with people and not with money. Money is really second or third in importance and seen as a convenience in the orthodox circles.
2. Leeches live very well
Dan   (12.24.15)
3. Well, duh? They get free Jewish doctors!
JVC ,   LA, USA   (12.24.15)
4. Glenda(FB) may be on to something....really!
(12.24.15)
5. What's so surprising. It's a clear Mishna 'Torah gives life'
(12.24.15)
"Great is Torah, for it gives life to its doers in this world and in the next world, as it is written: 'For they [the teachings of the Torah] give life to those who find them and healing to all flesh' (Proverbs 4:22). It also says: 'Healing will it be for your flesh and marrow for your bones' (ibid., 3:8).
6. Glenda FB First get your facts straight
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (12.24.15)
and than you can distort them. Big families can not live on State funds.Most families have one or two parents who work.They work more than the Secular who every evening are looking hours TV. Shabat they don;t go to football or basketball games nor to restaurants .They don't waste their time on internet .They only use it for their work.They keep their elderly who need special care,at home.They are full time busy with their many children Orthodox people work much more Ithan the Secular.
7. Partially true
Bob ,   Israel   (12.24.15)
The ultraorthodox don't have to worry about money because they are supported by the Israeli taxpayer and therefore don't have to work
8. Well of course
Pissed ,   TLV   (12.24.15)
Is it a surprise? They avoid the army, education and anything else that disrupts their laid back daily reading and doing squat while the rest of us stress and pay for their comfort. How can this lame and parasitic existence be justified as Judaism? Our children go to the military and risk their lives to protect Israel, those who eventually earn a good living have to give 60% to pay for these people who do nothing to contribute to society. They are own version of terrorists.
9. A lack of bridging Social Capital
Alexander Dill ,   Basel, Switzerland   (12.24.15)
After two decades of research on Social Capital even by Nobel laureates such as Ostrom, Sen and Stiglitz it doesn't make sense to still focus on bonding social capital. Why not? If groups which strong bondings succeed in a society where other groups are surpressed, cheated and disadvantaged, the impact on society is not positive. Of course Daesh, Hamas and IDF are build on voluntarism - but this form of Social Capital damages the society and of course the common good. So Social Capital will only have a positive impact if the life expectancy in the whole society increases. That may be called bridging social capital then. I doubt if bridging SC is that advanced in a racist society.
10. Headline probably wrong
Shalom ,   Jerusalem, Israel   (12.24.15)
The report says that Israeli haredim have "a higher life expectancy than otherwise expected based on socioeconomic factors." Because many do not work, the haredi population belong to the poor. Data from many countries show that the poor have collectively a much lower life expectation than the rich. So this particular study is probably just saying that the haredi population is living a bit longer than most poor people do. By the way obesity is also found to be higher among poor people in many countries, like there are many obese haredim.
11. because they choose to live modestly?
Ra'anan ,   Jerusalem   (12.25.15)
Exactly who are they leeching on? You seem to think they are getting some type of benefits, but that's not true. They live a lower economic standard of living, that's all.
12. free drs.? not at all
Ra'anan ,   Jerusalem   (12.25.15)
That's simply not true.
13. that's news to me, where is this free $?
Ra'anan ,   Jerusalem   (12.25.15)
14. You're right! It won't...
Ra'anan ,   Jerusalem   (12.25.15)
last because secular Jews are producing enough babies so national religious & charedim are fast becoming the majority in Israel. Religious Jews get married & early & have children & move to Israel & stay in Israel, while secular Jews DON'T get married as often, not at early, if at all, don't have so many children, if any, don't usually move to Israel, unless there's a crisis & many LEAVE Israel, oh & there are many HOMOSEXUAL secular Jews, so, yeah, things are definitely changing back to where ORTHODOX JEWS were the VAST MAJORITY. Taxes are NOT going to support ORTHODOX JEWS, ORTHODOX JEWS are paying a LION'S SHARE of the TAXES by paying VALUE ADDED TAX for very big families. Get your facts straight.
15. 2Dan,you can live longer too if..
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (12.27.15)
instead of bashing you look for the true reasons why Orthodox people live longer But,of course knowing the truth implies not easy changes.
16. Empty life for longer, what's the worth?
Michael ,   California, USA   (12.25.15)
17. 16 Michael,A life with meaning is
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (12.27.15)
a life of fullness.
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