Haredi Jews, or Ultra-Orthodox Jews, refers to a socio-religious demographic of Jewish people that follow strict interpretations of Torah, halachah (Jewish traditions) and rabbinical decrees.
Haredi Jews are not a monolithic group, and have many ideological beliefs and differences sect to sect. Some characteristics that are often shared are cultural. Haredi Jews often wear old shtetl-style black and white clothing with distinct hats, have large families with a focus on the family unit, and live in neighbourhoods with predominantly Haredi families.
Ideologically, haredi Jews vary on zionism, but often believe in separation of genders in public spaces, are against public life and works on shabbat, and are often antagonistic to many manifestations of technology. Haredi youth are expected to learn Jewish scriptures in Yeshivas until they are married.
There are about 1.8 million haredi Jews in the world, many living in Europe, the United States, and Israel. In Israel Haredim make up about 12% of the population. There are haredi parties in the Israeli Knesset, such as Shas, United Torah Judaism, Noam, and Yachad.
One conflict between haredi Jews and other cleavages in Israeli society is military service. In the past there have been protests against the conscription of haredi men into the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Laws have previously been passed to compromise and preclude haredi men from conscription. Another point of contention has in the past been haredi representation in the workforce, but the number of haredi Jews integrating into the workforce has been increasing.
A national service plan for haredi men during their long semester breaks
Readers of The Jerusalem Post have their say.
The free market in ideas demands that the haredim accept the consequences of allowing their youth to encounter the full range of possibilities of the human experience.
Haredim need integration into Israeli society and the workforce through improved education in core subjects to combat poverty and social drain.
Haredi students’ participation in volunteer programs offered by their colleges can result in more ultra-Orthodox community members becoming inclined to enroll in higher education.
The threat of a mass departure by the haredim may not be an empty threat and it should not be acceptable.
An advocate for Jewish women whose estranged husbands are refusing to divorce them ritually, calls for post-mikvah sex to be seen as a natural site of protest.
The Israel Prison Service recruited the 12 haredi national servicemen as part of their non-military national service.
Tachlith Institute's poll shows Israelis favor local authorities over national institutions, especially during the war, signaling potential reforms.
Halevi said that broadening the sectors of Israel's population that serve in the IDF and national service is the only way to replace the many Israeli soldiers who have died in the current war.