The Haredim are a group of Jews that are considered to be the “ultra-Orthodox,” a term they do not appreciate. They are the most theologically conservative form of Orthodox Judaism and the word haredi actually means “one who trembles in awe of God.” The Haredim believe that their belief system and religious practices extend from an unbroken chain back to Moses when he received the Torah at Mount Sinai. In Donna Rosenthal’s The Israelis, she explains that the Haredim believes the torah to be “God’s gift to us. It is God’s blueprint, His book of laws,” (176). Rosenthal continues to relate the Haredim beliefs about the Torah: “the Torah has kept Jews alive, telling us how to behave, how to be Jews. It is the bond for Jews scattered all over the globe,” (176).
According to the Haredim, though, very few of these Jews in the Diaspora are actually considered to be Jewish. If a person does not commit themselves to the Torah and to God completely then they are not considered to be Jewish in the eyes of the Haredim. The Haredim keep very strict kashrut laws and believe that all 613 mitzvot should be practiced. The Haredim believe that “Judaism must not change with the time; rather, Judaism must change the times,” (185). They are very strict in the practices of Judaism and want to continue the traditions and laws that they have been given from God.
One of the laws and traditions that they have held onto the strongest is Shabbat. This weekly holiday is one of the 10 commandments and is at the heart of Judaism. Many say that “more than the people of Israel have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the people of Israel,” (180). On Shabbat, there are two candles that are lit: “one is in honor of the commandment to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, and the other one represents guarding the Sabbath by not performing the forbidden laws,” (181). One of these laws that is forbidden is the use of fire which is interpreted today as using electricity. The Haredim take this holiday very seriously and “try to rule their roads, sometimes cursing or throwing stones at blasphemers who dare to drive through their neighborhood,” (181).
According to the Haredim, though, very few of these Jews in the Diaspora are actually considered to be Jewish. If a person does not commit themselves to the Torah and to God completely then they are not considered to be Jewish in the eyes of the Haredim. The Haredim keep very strict kashrut laws and believe that all 613 mitzvot should be practiced. The Haredim believe that “Judaism must not change with the time; rather, Judaism must change the times,” (185). They are very strict in the practices of Judaism and want to continue the traditions and laws that they have been given from God.
One of the laws and traditions that they have held onto the strongest is Shabbat. This weekly holiday is one of the 10 commandments and is at the heart of Judaism. Many say that “more than the people of Israel have kept Shabbat, Shabbat has kept the people of Israel,” (180). On Shabbat, there are two candles that are lit: “one is in honor of the commandment to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy, and the other one represents guarding the Sabbath by not performing the forbidden laws,” (181). One of these laws that is forbidden is the use of fire which is interpreted today as using electricity. The Haredim take this holiday very seriously and “try to rule their roads, sometimes cursing or throwing stones at blasphemers who dare to drive through their neighborhood,” (181).
This violent protest of others not committing themselves to Judaism has spread well outside of their own communities. A computer company, Intel, has offices in Jerusalem and the company has chosen to open on Saturdays, the Jewish holiday of Shabbat. The Haredim have responded to this by protesting with violence and vandalism. The government is beginning to take a stance and has demanded that the violence ceases. Trade Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said "whoever thinks that violence will solve the problem, and whoever thinks that the government will accept violence and vandalism is wrong. I understand that there are populations who have certain customs and demands and I respect that, but everything can be straightened out in a pleasant way and with mutual respect.” On Sunday, Intel said that it had no plans to close the controversial plant in Jerusalem on Saturdays. Despite violent protests by the ultra-Orthodox Jews who accuse the chip maker of desecrating the Jewish Sabbath, the company said that they would continue manufacturing their product in the best way possible. An Intel spokesman, Kobi Bachar, said the factory has operated on Saturdays for more than 20 years and it will continue to do so.
The author of the article continues to say that about 1,500 protesters demonstrated outside the factory on Saturday and that the demonstrators were dressed in traditional black hats and long coats. The mob was shouting “Shabbes! Shabbes!” - the Yiddish word for the Sabbath - while banging against one of the door's of Intel's Jerusalem office. “Some protesters were hurt after security personnel sprayed pepper spray in their faces. Other demonstrators hurled stones at and pushed journalists who were present at the scene.”
This kind of behavior is unacceptable and the author of the article, Liel Kyzer, makes this known. There is only one side shown in the article making it difficult to make an accurate decision as to whether the article is reliable or not. The Haredim are portrayed as violent and radical whereas the company involved, Intel, is seen as doing nothing wrong. Whether or not the Haredim are radical in their beliefs, the media does not help their cause and continues to isolate them even further than they do themselves.
The author of the article continues to say that about 1,500 protesters demonstrated outside the factory on Saturday and that the demonstrators were dressed in traditional black hats and long coats. The mob was shouting “Shabbes! Shabbes!” - the Yiddish word for the Sabbath - while banging against one of the door's of Intel's Jerusalem office. “Some protesters were hurt after security personnel sprayed pepper spray in their faces. Other demonstrators hurled stones at and pushed journalists who were present at the scene.”
This kind of behavior is unacceptable and the author of the article, Liel Kyzer, makes this known. There is only one side shown in the article making it difficult to make an accurate decision as to whether the article is reliable or not. The Haredim are portrayed as violent and radical whereas the company involved, Intel, is seen as doing nothing wrong. Whether or not the Haredim are radical in their beliefs, the media does not help their cause and continues to isolate them even further than they do themselves.
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