By Rabbi Dow Marmur
JERUSALEM– “Ultra-Orthodox (or haredi) Judaism – it can never be stressed too often – is not Judaism as it was practiced in centuries past. Traditional Judaism was fluid, diverse and accommodated itself to the practical requirements of the day. Ultra-Orthodox Judaism, by contrast, is a modern creation, born out of terror and hatred of the Enlightenment, which in the 19th century seduced many previously cloistered European Jews.”
So writes Peter Beinart in the December 29 issue of the electronic “newspaper” The Daily Beast. He’s right, of course, and he has a point when he reflects on the irony: “Although ultra-Orthodox Jews claim to reject religious innovation, ultra-Orthodoxy is constantly innovating because it is based, above all, on the rejection of secular values. And since secular values change, ultra-Orthodoxy does too.”
The secular value that’s currently on the haredi agenda is the emancipation of women. The recently reported attacks in Israel on young women, even an eight-year old child, should be seen in that light.
A second, no less ironic, contradiction is that while the ultra-Orthodox pride themselves of keeping away from contact with other religions, in their attacks on women they’re aping some of their Muslim neighbours. That’s why there’s talk of viewing these fanatics as the agents of the “talibanization” of Israel.
Beinart is asking the right question, but he’s giving the wrong answer. That’s very common, according to Daniel Kahneman, the author of Thinking, Fast and Slow. Speaking at the Hebrew University Kahneman reminded his audience of the temptation to which many succumb – discussed in his book, currently also on President Shimon Peres’ reading list – to answer difficult questions with arguments that don’t address the issue.
This, I believe, is very typical of pundits, including Beinart. Kahneman says that the less we know about a problem the more we seek ourselves to simple non-answers, and the more confident we’re in giving them.
Instead of trying to laboriously chart by way of a slow and complicated response the near-insane fear of modernity from which many contemporary religionists seem to suffer, Beinart “explains” the problem by offering a fast, easy and irrelevant answer. He writes that it’s a reflection on the wayIsrael treats its Arab minority.
Now the treatment ofIsrael’s Arabs is indeed often deplorable and, therefore, comes to mind easily when facing a thorny problem, but it’s not the answer to why the ultra-Orthodox are attacking women. The explanations Beinart offers don’t merit serious discussion, but the reason why he puts them forward warrants some speculation.
Having assumed the role of a vociferous critic of the movers and shakers of American Jewry he seems to seek out opportunities to have a go at them. Hence this: “when it comes to the struggle against ultra-Orthodox misogyny, American Jewish leaders feel far more emboldened to criticize Israeli policy than they do on the issue of Palestinian rights.” The fact that this may be the case sheds no light on the misogyny.
The issue, therefore, remains open and is in urgent need of thoughtful responses and purposeful action. Neither pointing fingers at Jewish leaders in the diaspora nor referring to the situation of Arabs in Israel will do. OnlyIsrael’s politicians and law enforcers have the wherewithal to deal with the matter. Let’s hope they’ll use it.
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Rabbi Marmur is spiritual leader emeritus of Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. He now divides his time between Canada and Israel and may be contacted at dow.marmur@sdjewishworld.com