An ultra-Orthodox journalist recently had an audience with a Hasidic rabbi. When he left, he was asked about his impressions of the visit. "Once, when I used to visit the rebbe, my knees would tremble," he responded, "now, he is the one that trembles." This story hints at the change in the balance of power in ultra-Orthodox society, which for the time being is going on behind the scenes. Even if it is not in any way its declared goal, the existence of an extra-establishment press is gradually undermining rabbinical hegemony, first and foremost because this press shapes public opinion in a place where the voice of the ordinary citizen is completely silenced.They are openly criticizing their leaders in web forums as well as printed newspapers.
. . . The ultra-Orthodox public pounced greedily on the new and modern papers. The attraction for the written word is a given in this public, which is not exposed to the visual enticements of television and cinema. But it was the critical content that was the real magnet.
Self-criticism and the absence of self-righteousness are the biggest novelties in B'Hadrei Haredim. There you can follow pointed discussions of a series of issues that the Haredi public has thus far refrained from discussing in public - including among others, going to work and enlisting in the army, the problem of poverty, sex crimes (primarily in the mikvehs, i.e., ritual baths), quality of education (the level of the teachers, beatings, pirate transportation companies) and Haredi sexuality alongside sharp critiques of the press and disparagement of politicians and hacks.
(via the Head Heeb and Imshin)
UPDATE: While Israeli Haredim pull their skeletons out of the closet, American ultra-Orthodox Jews are doing some soul-searching about how they relate to their gentile neighbors.
Conflicts between Orthodox Jews and their neighbors — over school taxes, zoning, Saturday traffic rules and other issues — have become a visible feature of life in New York and other cities during the last two decades, as a burgeoning ultra-Orthodox population has expanded beyond its traditional precincts in Brooklyn and established enclaves in new locations. In the past, Orthodox spokesmen commonly have spoken of such conflicts simply as cases of antisemitism. Last week's session was described by participants and observers as the first public airing by Aguda, the main public voice of ultra-Orthodox Judaism, of the possibility that Orthodox communities might bear some responsibility when such conflicts arise.No! Ya think?
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